Guterres Welcomes Formation of New Lebanon Gov.

W300

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the formation of Lebanon’s new government after more than three months of nationwide protests, media reports said Wednesday.

Guterres welcomes the formation of a new government and looks forward to working with Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the incoming government, “including in support of Lebanon’s reform agenda and to address the pressing needs of its people," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

“The secretary-general reiterates the United Nations commitment to support Lebanon’s strengthening of its sovereignty, stability and political independence," Dujarric said.

A new Cabinet was announced in crisis-hit Lebanon late Tuesday, breaking a months-long impasse amid mass protests against the country's ruling elite and a crippling financial crisis, but demonstrations and violence continued.

The new government, which comes three months after former Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned, was rejected by protesters who have been calling for sweeping reforms and a government made up of independent technocrats that can deal with the country's economic and financial crisis, the worst since the 1975-90 civil war.

Even before the Cabinet was announced, thousands of people poured into the streets, closing major roads in the capital of Beirut and other parts of the country in protest. The protesters complained that political groups still were involved in the naming of the new ministers, even if they are specialists and academics.

Later, a group of protesters near Parliament threw stones, firecrackers and sticks at security forces, who responded with tear gas and pepper spray.