US envoy says Lebanon slipping into humanitarian catastrophe

By Naim Burjawi

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) - US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea on Monday warned that Lebanon was slipping into a humanitarian catastrophe amid failure to form a new government.

"The United States and the international community are putting efforts to support Lebanon, and we know that the Lebanese people cannot wait," Shea said following her meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun.

"Every day that goes by without an empowered government committed to and able to implement urgently needed reforms is a day in which the already dire situation slides further into humanitarian catastrophe," she said.

Early on Monday, the US diplomat met with Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati to discuss recent developments in Lebanon and efforts to form a new government.

On Sunday, at least 28 people were killed and 80 others injured when a fuel storage tank exploded in northern Lebanon as they gathered to get a share from the stored gasoline.

Lebanon has been unable to form a new administration since the resignation of Hassan Diab's cabinet on Aug. 10, 2020, six days after the massive Beirut port blast.

The Arab country is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all of its value against the dollar, and streets witnessing massive protests and rallies.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara