Lebanon's prime minister-designate Saad Hariri on Saturday accused President Michel Aoun of being responsible for failed Cabinet negotiations that have left the country without a government for more than seven months.
Speaking in a special session of the Lebanese Parliament, Mr Hariri – who has been unable to form a Cabinet since being nominated for prime minister in October – said he refused to form a government that would satisfy Mr Aoun.
Instead, he has vowed to form a Cabinet of experts capable of halting the country's economic collapse.
Mr Hariri said a letter of complaint from Mr Aoun to parliament was an attempt to withdraw his nomination for prime minister.
He said this was the result of his refusal to bow to Mr Aoun's demands over the composition of a new administration.
Speaking in the same session, Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement's parliamentary bloc and son-in-law of Mr Aoun, denied that the letter was an attempt to withdraw the nomination of Mr Hariri for prime minister.
Lebanon has been without a government since Hassan Diab resigned as prime minister in the wake of the Beirut port blast that killed more than 200 people last August.
The special parliamentary session was convened to discuss the letter of complaint from Mr Aoun regarding the stalemate of Cabinet formation talks. Several parties blamed one another for the impasse.
"I will not form a government as the team of his excellency the president wants it, nor any other political faction," Mr Hariri told members of parliament.
"I will only form the kind of government needed to stop the collapse and prevent the big crash that is threatening the Lebanese.”
Speaking after the session, Mr Hariri described the letter from Mr Aoun as an attempt to deflect attention for the repeated failures to form a government.
Mr Aoun's letter complained "It has become evident that the prime minister-designate is unable to form a government capable of salvation and meaningful contact with foreign financial institutions, international funds, and donor countries".
Mr Bassil, who is Mr Aoun's most ardent supporter in parliament, and Mr Hariri have become bitter rivals in recent months.
In a parliamentary session on Friday, the two refused to shake hands.
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
