Lebanon's former Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi withdraws his nomination for PM

Amid the Lebanese anti-government protests, the former Lebanese finance minister and a business tycoon Mohammad Safadi has decided to withdraw his nomination for the position of the next Prime Minister on November 16, according to an official statement. Safadi said that considering the current scenario, it would be difficult to form a ‘harmonious’ Government with the support of all the political parties. 

Mohammad Safadi withdraws candidacy

Mohammad Safadi according to the international media, emerged as a candidate after receiving support from the three major political parties for the position of Prime Minister after Saad Hariri resigned from his position on October 29 due to massive anti-government mass demonstrations. After the news of Safadi candidature spread, the protesters again took to the streets according to international media, which has led to the withdrawal. He told the media that the withdrawal comes after consulting all the political parties in a meeting held on November 16 along with the former Prime Minister Saad Hariri. 

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Protesters against the nomination of an elite candidate

The protesters denounced the candidature of Mohammad Safadi, who belongs to the elite class which is against the call of the protesters to seek economic and political equality. In the official statement, Mohammad Safadi extended his gratitude to President Michel Aoun and Hariri for supporting his nomination and hope Hariri to return to his position of Prime Minister. 

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Crisis in Lebanon

According to media reports, Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil confirmed that Safadi had agreed to take on the role. Lebanon is currently going through a severe economic crisis that catapulted the country into a political crisis following nationwide protests triggered by new proposed taxes. The country’s gross debt, at 85.4 billion dollars, had increased by 0.7 per cent from last year, one of the biggest public debt ratios in the world. Saad Hariri had resigned on October 29 as Lebanon’s Prime Minister, as per one of the key demands of protesters, after anti-government demonstrations accused the government of corruption and mismanagement.

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(With inputs from ANI)