One year after the resignation of the government, Caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, issued the following statement:
One year has passed since the resignation of the government, and the country is still reeling under the weight of a deep crisis. The Lebanese are enduring considerable suffering, while full-year efforts have not succeeded in forming a government that would resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, which seems to be the only path available at the moment to get out of the state of collapse.
When our government resigned, negotiations with the IMF had gone a long way in reaching an understanding on the recovery plan that we had elaborated; however, the ominous Beirut port’s blast has led to the resignation of the government. Thus, negotiations stopped, and all the elements of financial, economic and social resilience collapsed in light of a complete external economic and financial assistance cut off, for most of the aid provided to Lebanon was limited to dealing with the repercussions of August 4 explosion.
The government had dealt with the crisis pragmatically. Over the course of six months, the full-fledged cabinet was able to draw a complete picture of the financial reality, while providing accurate numbers; it has also transparently determined the size of the tremendous gaps and accumulated losses, then developed a methodical and practical plan capable of getting Lebanon out of the deadlock. Although some interventions have delayed the implementation of the plan, without being able to stop it, the explosion has nevertheless thwarted the execution of that plan, and the country has plunged into the political, financial, economic, social and living unknown.
Over the course of a full year, which represents the longest caretaker period in Lebanon's history, the resigned government dealt with the dark tunnel, despite its weak capabilities, limited powers, the absence of any effective foreign assistance, and in light of severe internal political bickering. It is unfair to accuse the caretaker government of inaction or evasion of responsibility; for every minister in this government has not stopped working, and has made every possible effort to deal with successive and consecutive crises. The Grand Serail testifies to the amount of work done by the caretaker government, which reached the highest level of public affairs conduct, given the delicate and critical juncture, as well as the considerable problems. The caretaker government, which is constrained by many constitutional, national and political restrictions, has definitely managed to slow the course of the collapse, despite the fact that foreign countries turned away from helping the country, and that high walls impeded assistance to Lebanon.
We have done everything we can, but any government in place will not be able to address the structural crisis without external assistance and a practical plan, so how can a caretaker government deal with this crisis?
Today, a year after the resignation, there is some hope of getting out of the stalemate in forming the government, and of breaking the vicious circle. In this regard, we stress the need to provide all possible facilities; for concessions are tiny when the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese is at stake, and the gains are worthless if the collision occurs.
Thus, we are condemned to rely on the success of the ongoing attempts to form a government capable of dealing with the deep crisis that Lebanon is experiencing. Therefore, I call on all those who are loyal to this country, to transcend all calculations and to abandon all interests, for the sake of Lebanon's interest, and in order to end the painful reality facing the Lebanese people.
