Lebanon’s new government secures confidence vote in parliament

Sixty-three out of 84 Lebanese lawmakers voted to back the new administration after an eight-hour parliamentary session on Tuesday.

The vote comes as Lebanon and the new government is facing one of the worst crises in the county’s recent history.

“We have accepted to assume this mission amidst perilous circumstances and as the country endures an exceptional conjuncture, all emanating from our national spirit,” Diab read from his new government’s policy statement after securing the confidence vote.

“Lebanon is facing stifling and decisive crises, which require a major overhaul and action, including some agonizing measures,” he said.

Diab also stressed that his new government — made up of 20 specialist ministers backed by the country’s political parties — would undertake fiscal and administrative reforms, fight corruption, tax evasion and smuggling, and seek to establish the independence of the judiciary within 100 days.

Hours before the parliamentary session, Lebanon’s security forces clashed with protesters as they used teargas to disperse the crowds rallying against the new administration.

Protesters said the new cabinet would not be able to rescue Lebanon’s ailing economy.

The formation of the new government under Diab came after the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and its allies agreed on a cabinet that must urgently address the economic crisis and ensuing protests that toppled its predecessor.

The country had been without an effective government since Saad al-Hariri submitted his resignation as premier to Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun in October.

Lebanese PM Hariri submits his resignation amid ongoing anti-govt. protestsPM Hariri of Lebanon submits his resignation amid mass protests against economic woes.

Since October 17, Lebanon has been rocked by nationwide protests against rising inflation and living costs as the government struggles to attract investment amid increasing economic hardships and a decreasing capital flow to the country.

The protesters blame the faltering economy on widespread corruption and abuse of privileges among politicians as the national debt hovers around $85 billion.

Successive governments have also failed to address a waste management crisis or improve the electricity grid, which is plagued by daily power cuts.