Lebanon: Consultations launched to name new premier

By Riya Shartouni

BEIRUT (AA) - Parliamentary consultations to name Lebanon's new prime minister began on Wednesday after the resignation of current premier Saad Hariri on Oct. 29 in response to popular anti-government protests.

Consultations are ongoing at the Baadba Presidential Palace amid local reports suggesting former Education Minister Hassan Diab may be a strong candidate for the post.

Security forces have taken strict measures to secure the road leading to the presidential palace.

Before the consultations, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun met caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hairir for almost 15 minutes. Hariri is expected to submit his opinion for his successor.

Parliamentary consultations on designating a new premier had originally been scheduled for last week before being postponed until Monday and delayed again until Thursday.

Lebanon is suffering of high unemployment, slow growth and one of the highest debt ratios in the world, with a debt burden reaching $86.2 billion in the first quarter of 2019, according to the Ministry of Finance.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara