Arab League’s Zaki meets Lebanese leaders

President Michel Aoun met on Thursday with Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Ambassador Houssam Zaki at the Baabda presidential Palace.

Following the meeting, Zaki said that the political and economic crises in Lebanon “are inseparable.”

“The economic crisis cannot be solved without reaching an exit for the political one,” he added.

Zaki noted that he conveyed to President Aoun the readiness of Arab League Secretary-General to assist in any form whatsoever.

“President Aoun welcomed the suggestion and contacts will be made with some main sides to resolve the political situation,” he stressed.

For his part, President Aoun welcomed any initiative made by the Arab League to resolve the current crisis.

On another note, Aoun asserted that Lebanon “is committed to the implementation of the Taef accord from which the constitution emerged,” adding that statements saying that the accord is in danger “are not based on reality and are promoted by well-known parties involved in the formation of the government.”

Zaki then met with Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab at the Grand Serail whereby he noted that the situation in Lebanon is “critical and quite risky.”

 

Zaki also held talks with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri at the Bayt al-Wasat.

The official noted that he conveyed to Hariri the Arab League’s desire in resolving the governmental crisis and steering Lebanon away of its impasse.

Lebanese leaders are struggling to form a new government as Prime Minister Diab’s government has been serving in a caretaker capacity since it resigned after the August 4 Beirut port explosion.

The country is also in the throes of a financial crisis that is posing the biggest threat to its stability since the 1975-1990 civil war.