Acting Lebanese prime minister steps down

Lebanon’s prime minister designate stepped down yesterday, a setback for efforts to form a new government in the crisis-torn country and possibly imperilling a conditional promise of financial assistance from France. Mustapha Adib told reporters he was departing the job following a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun. It remained unclear who would take over the complex challenge of negotiating with the country’s many political factions to create a new cabinet. Lebanon is reeling from an ongoing economic collapse that was made worse by a disastrous port explosion in August.