Caretaker Prime Minister, Hasan Diab, delivered this Wednesday a statement in which he addressed the Lebanese on the current crisis.
“Over the past fifteen years, the vacuum has become the norm in the country, while the presence of the state and its institutions is the exception,” Diab said, “Today, however, hopes of a way out of the impasse are trapped in a vicious circle, with the stalemate turning into a national crisis that threatens what remains of the State’s foundations, the constitution, and institutions.”
But what is most dangerous is the negative repercussions that this crisis leaves on the daily lives of the Lebanese who are reliving painful memories from not so long ago, in the context of the multifaceted collapse, as if some were seeking to replicate these memories on purpose, according to Diab.
“Today, we are facing a very difficult reality, which the World Bank reflected in its report a few days ago, when it considered that Lebanon was mired in an economic collapse that is likely to rank in the top 10 most severe crises episodes globally since the mid-nineteenth century, with no solution in the horizon that would lead it out of a dire reality exacerbated by political inaction.”
The World Bank’s stance is confirmed by the following facts:
First – The inability to form a new government to deal with severe financial, social, living and economic problems.
Second – The political forces’ failure to rise to the level of national responsibility and lack of understanding of the crisis’ magnitude and repercussions.
Third – The continued suspension of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
Fourth – The continued freeze of the recovery plan set by our government.
Fifth – The Lebanese Central Bank’s reduction of budgetary allocation for importing basic commodities.
Sixth – The unavailability of medicines, children’s milk and fuels with some traders stockpiling basic materials.
Seventh – The smuggling of various basic materials in many different ways, despite efforts to confront smuggling in its various forms.
Eighth – The systematic decline in securing the minimum living, social, pharmaceutical and service requirements of the Lebanese people, including gasoline, diesel and electricity.
Ninth – A severe drain on scientific and human capital.
Tenth – An external siege imposed on Lebanon, with various pressures exerted to prevent aid from reaching it, so as to push it into a total collapse.
All these facts bring the country on the verge of a systemic collapse, whose victims will be the Lebanese, while the political forces will rise again to present themselves as saviours for the people and the country.
The collapse, if it occurs, God forbid, will have very serious repercussions, not only on the Lebanese, but on those residing on its land as well, in addition to brotherly and friendly countries, by land or by sea, and no one will be able to control the tides.
I sincerely address two appeals: one to the Lebanese, and the other to the brothers and friends of Lebanon.
Diab urged the Lebanese, to be patient with the injustice they are enduring or that will affect them as a result of any decision taken by any party and which will increase their suffering, calling on the political forces to make concessions, which are small, no matter how strong they may be, for they will ease the suffering of the Lebanese and stop the frightening spiral.
“Cabinet formation, about ten months after the resignation of our government, is a priority that supersedes all other goals or files.”
I do not want to throw accusations at anyone because the current stage requires the highest degree of responsibility in order to be able to alleviate the pain of the collapse in the event that it occurs, God forbid.
Diab also called on the political forces to make concessions, which are small, no matter how strong they may be, for they will ease the suffering of the Lebanese and stop the frightening spiral.
“Cabinet formation, about ten months after the resignation of our government, is a priority that supersedes all other goals or files.”
The Lebanese people are expecting their brothers and friends to stand by them and help them in their severe ordeal, not to watch their suffering or contribute to deepening it, Diab concluded.
Source: Al-Manar English Website