Washington, DC, July 16, 2021 (ATFL) - The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, noted with regret the inability of the country to form a government following the resignation on July 15 of Saad Hariri as Prime Minister-designate. For nine months, the political leadership in Lebanon has been unable to agree on a formula to form a government, despite strong international pressure to install a government capable of reforms and rebuilding trust with the Lebanese people.
While the choice of new leaders is up to the Lebanese, they have suffered greatly from government mismanagement and corruption. A new government, composed of qualified experts, must have a mandate to lead and implement reforms needed to stabilize the country and gain the release of international funds for Lebanon’s survival and renewal.
ATFL strongly supports Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s statement that “It is critical that a government committed and able to implement priority reforms be formed now. The government must also start preparing for the 2022 parliamentary elections, which should be held on-time and conducted in a free and fair manner.” The elections are an important opportunity for the people to call the leaders to accountability, and must proceed without obstruction.
Once again, Lebanon’s leaders are failing its people and it is past time for them to make the people the priority.
