Engineering professor Hassan Diab named Lebanon's 'technocratic' premier, but protests continue
- 22 Jan 2020
A new Cabinet was announced in crisis-hit Lebanon late on Tuesday, breaking a months-long impasse amid mass protests against the country's ruling elite and a crippling financial crisis, but demonstrations and violence continued.
Hassan Diab, a 60-year-old former professor at the American University of Beirut, announced a Cabinet of 20 members — mostly specialists supported by the Hizbollah and allied political parties.
Lebanon's new cabinet is due to meet for the first time on Wednesday, bearing a message of support from the United Nations as ministers begin the urgent task of addressing an unprecedented economic crisis.
The government, under Hassan Diab, was formed after Hizbollah and its allies agreed on a cabinet of 20 specialists.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will work with Diab to support the reform agenda, Guterres' spokesman said in a statement, reiterating the UN's commitment to strengthening Lebanon's sovereignty, stability and political independence.
Diab was nominated by Hizbollah and allies last month. Hizbollah is designated as a terrorist group by the United States.
Protesters took to the streets of Beirut as the new government was announced and closed roads in several cities using tyres and other make-shift barriers.
New Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni said on Tuesday that Lebanon needed foreign aid to save it. He described forthcoming foreign currency sovereign debt maturities as "a fireball."
