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DPA
Beirut
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called Tuesday for the formation of a new Lebanese government that would gain the trust of the people and work on reforms.
“This is the time to roll up the sleeves and to look to the future, despite the tragedy ... and to do this you also need to rebuild the citizens’ trust, trust among citizens and in institutions, to start a new era of national unity,” Conte told reporters after meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun. He expressed hope that the a new government would be formed as soon as possible in order for it to work on reconstruction and an “urgent programme of reforms.” Lebanon was devastated on August 4 by a massive blast that ripped through its Beirut port, killing more than 190 people and wounding some 6,000 others.
The explosion prompted then prime minister Hassan Diab to resign on August 10. He was replaced by Mustapha Adib, a diplomat who was designated by Aoun to form a new government on August 31.
The blast took place as Lebanon witnesses its worst economic crisis ever and has been rocked by nationwide anti-government protests since October. Protesters demand the removal of the country’s ruling elite, which they accuse of mismanagement and corruption.
“It is a difficult challenge, but the objective is within reach if Lebanese authorities all commit to a process of renewal of the institutions and also of the governance - a renewal process that civil society and the Lebanese people have clearly long been asking for,” Conte said.
He started his two-day visit by touring Beirut’s port and the Italian ship that transported aid to firefighters.
He will later visit the Italian field hospital that was set up on the outskirts of the capital.
Besides Aoun, Conte also met with House Speaker Nabih Berri and Adib. In an interview with the Lebanese French daily L’Orient-Le Jour, Conte said his visit presents “a concrete testimony of Italian solidarity towards Lebanon and its people.” His visit to Lebanon comes less than two weeks after a visit by Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini.
The Italian military has a long-established presence in Lebanon.
It has nearly 12,000 troops deployed in the country, mostly as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is under Italian command.
Beirut
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called Tuesday for the formation of a new Lebanese government that would gain the trust of the people and work on reforms.
“This is the time to roll up the sleeves and to look to the future, despite the tragedy ... and to do this you also need to rebuild the citizens’ trust, trust among citizens and in institutions, to start a new era of national unity,” Conte told reporters after meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun. He expressed hope that the a new government would be formed as soon as possible in order for it to work on reconstruction and an “urgent programme of reforms.” Lebanon was devastated on August 4 by a massive blast that ripped through its Beirut port, killing more than 190 people and wounding some 6,000 others.
The explosion prompted then prime minister Hassan Diab to resign on August 10. He was replaced by Mustapha Adib, a diplomat who was designated by Aoun to form a new government on August 31.
The blast took place as Lebanon witnesses its worst economic crisis ever and has been rocked by nationwide anti-government protests since October. Protesters demand the removal of the country’s ruling elite, which they accuse of mismanagement and corruption.
“It is a difficult challenge, but the objective is within reach if Lebanese authorities all commit to a process of renewal of the institutions and also of the governance - a renewal process that civil society and the Lebanese people have clearly long been asking for,” Conte said.
He started his two-day visit by touring Beirut’s port and the Italian ship that transported aid to firefighters.
He will later visit the Italian field hospital that was set up on the outskirts of the capital.
Besides Aoun, Conte also met with House Speaker Nabih Berri and Adib. In an interview with the Lebanese French daily L’Orient-Le Jour, Conte said his visit presents “a concrete testimony of Italian solidarity towards Lebanon and its people.” His visit to Lebanon comes less than two weeks after a visit by Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini.
The Italian military has a long-established presence in Lebanon.
It has nearly 12,000 troops deployed in the country, mostly as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is under Italian command.
