Businessman Najib Mikati on course to be named Lebanon’s next prime minister
- Saad al-Hariri abandoned his effort to form a new government last week after failing to agree its make-up with President Michel Aoun
- Aoun was expected to designate Mikati later in the day once he ends consultations with parliamentary blocs on Monday
Lebanon’s wealthy businessman and former premier Najib Mikati is poised to be designated prime minister on Monday after winning the support of most major parties to form a new government facing a crippling financial crisis, political sources said.
Earlier, a club of former Lebanese Sunni prime ministers said on Sunday that they endorsed the choice of Mikati, who held the post twice, in yet another attempt to bring Lebanon’s political deadlock to an end.
Among Mikati’s endorsers was veteran politician Saad al-Hariri, who abandoned his effort to form a new government last week after nearly 10 months of failing to agree its make-up with President Michel Aoun.
Hariri’s move marked the culmination of months of conflict over Cabinet posts between him and Aoun, the Maronite Christian head of state who is allied with the Iran-backed armed Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah
A senior political source said most of the country’s main parliamentary blocs agreed on designating Mikati. Unlike many Lebanese leaders, he does not hail from one of the many political dynasties but is one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Hezbollah and its ally, the Shiite Amal movement led by parliament speaker Nabih Berri, were expected to name Mikati, the source added.