Lebanese officials losing hope of government formation

Thread:

⋯ Local Lebanese media reported that Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri has decided to end his mediation efforts between President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati to form a government.

Berri indicated in a press statement on 5 September that “the atmosphere that prevailed in the latest meeting between Aoun and Mikati was not encouraging at all,” prompting him to step aside.

⋯ However, Berri reiterated his encouragement to form a government as soon as possible, to prevent Lebanon from falling into a constitutional crisis.

As a result, Mikati plans to meet with the head of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, to encourage him to play a more active role in bridging distances between the political parties.

⋯ Mikati is trying to gather enough support to form a government capable of handling the current political and economic crisis and fill the political vacuum that could overshadow the country.

If there is no new President by the end of October, the current caretaker government headed by Mikati will assume presidential powers.

⋯ On the other hand, Hezbollah is concerned that as a result of the delays in the maritime border negotiations with Israel, Lebanon might find itself unable to reach an agreement in the upcoming months.

In light of the absence of an active government and the end of Aoun’s presidential term in October, Lebanon will lack the official representation capable of negotiating with Israel.

The commander of the Northern Command in the Israeli army, Amir Baram, announced that Israelis will be allowed to visit the occupied Lebanese village of Ghajar, after 22 years of restrictions.

🚨 Amos Hochstein will visit Lebanon tomorrow, for just two hours.

Appointments are currently being set with Lebanese officials. - LBC

⋯ 🚨 CEO of Energean company, which is operating in Karish gas field, announces that extraction and selling will start without any delays on 20 September.

🚨 The UAE authorities released today the two Lebanese, Hussein Ali Nahal (a member of the Jebshit municipality), and his son, Muhammad, after they were arrested in mid-June at Dubai International Airport.

They arrive to Beirut today.

Lebanese Defense Minister:

"The Ministerial Committee decided that the transportation allowance for military personnel become 1,800,000 LBP (50USD)"

Condolences to Yasir Al-Habib and Ammar Nakshawani on the passing of their lord, Queen Elizabeth II.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announces 3 days of official mourning on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's death.

Yesterday night, an Israeli UAV fell into the Lebanese territorial waters.

The Lebanese Presidency:

"The Lebanese flag at half-mast at Baabda Palace to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II."

President Michel Aoun is currently meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein.

Amos crossed the border between Lebanon and Israel on land through Al-Naqoura, breaking the Lebanese law.

He was transported on board a Lebanese army helicopter to Beirut.

Hochstein from Baabda: "Our meeting was excellent, and I believe that we will make progress, and I am optimistic that an agreement will be reached [at some point]."

⋯ The Director General of Public Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim:

"Hochstein's visit today has nothing to do with the maritime negotiations. The security situation is very good."

⋯ Amos Hochstein told Lebanese officials that Israel demands to acquire the B1 point located in Ras Al-Naqoura, which connects the sea to land.

He justified his demand by security necessities.