Region | Lebanon
New Lebanese regime's priorities
Sa'ad Al Hariri's main challenge would be to tackle the country's woes
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 November 11, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News
The new government's first task would be to draw up a policy statement and present it to parliament for a vote of confidence.
Despite deep disagreements between the two camps on some crucial issues, like the fate of Hezbollah's army, the statement is expected to go smoothly and rather swiftly.
Once that is out of the way, Sa'ad Hariri is expected to visit Damascus and hold talks with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in a move set to redraw the political landscape in Lebanon.
Hariri's coalition had accused Syria of assassinating statesman Rafik Hariri, Sa'ad's father, in February 2005. Syria denies any links.
Redrawing ties
Hariri's visit to Damascus would open a new page between the two countries and reshuffle alliances in Beirut.
The political division that had split the country for more than four years is set to ease with all main factions working together in government as their regional allies — Syria and Saudi Arabia — continue to seek improved ties.
Several Hariri allies, including Druze leader Walid Junblatt, who was among Syria's harshest critics since 2005, are expected to visit Damascus.
Challenges
Hariri's main challenge would be to tackle the country's woes. Lebanon has largely shrugged off the effects of the global crisis but it faces a public debt of around $50 billion (Dh183.5 billion), lack of reforms and rundown services.
Hariri plans a three-stage drive to tackle the woes: quick fixes in the first 100 days, a medium-term plan to fix more serious problems in 12-18 months like electrical power shortages, and a longer-term plan to tackle the debt, including implementing reforms and a privatisation plan agreed with donors over the past decade.
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