Hariri says government formation consultations are in progress

BEIRUT - 5 June 2018: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al Hariri said that consultations on the formation of a new government are in progress and at an accelerated pace to establish roots of stability in Lebanon.

These remarks came on Tuesday during Hariri's meeting with the Lebanese – Saudi Business Council (LSBC), headed by Raouf Abu Zaki, to discuss the general economic situation.

Hariri pointed to his interest in selecting the ministers based on competence so that the government could do its work well, particularly in line with the proposals and recommendations of the Cedar Conference that was hosted by Paris in April to rally international support for Lebanon's economic development plans.

For his part, Abu Zaki said the council is now working on preparing to hold a Lebanese-Saudi economic forum on July 13 in Beirut with the participation of a large number of Saudi and Lebanese businessmen.

The event will be convened within the framework of the Arab economic forum, slated for July 12 under the sponsorship of the Lebanese prime minister and with the participation of 600 officials, businessmen and economic experts from 30 states, he added.