Khazen

Reuters

BEIRUT, (Xinhua) — Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said Thursday that the new government will be formed within 10 days. “My dialogue with President (Michel) Aoun was very positive yesterday… I believe that we have reached a consensus for the government formation,” Hariri said in an interview on MTV, a local TV Channel. “I am sure of what I am saying,” Hariri said. Hariri announced on Wednesday after meeting Aoun that he was optimistic about the government formation, which has been repeatedly delayed following the May elections in Lebanon. Hariri also announced Thursday that the economic situation in Lebanon is very difficult and any further delay in the government formation will have very negative repercussions on the economy. “We have so many challenges today. Our duty is to start with the necessary reforms in addition to working on all economic problems in a bid to protect the Lebanese pound,” he said. Hariri reiterated his call for all political parties to make concessions in order to reach an agreement very soon. Hariri has been facing various hurdles to form a 30-member cabinet due to the differences among various parties over their representation in the future government.