Choice for Lebanese PM makes neighborhood visit

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s prime minister-designate on Monday called for a new government to be formed “in record time,” pledging to speed up the investigation into the massive Beirut explosion and implement reforms.

Mustapha Adib, Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, spoke to reporters shortly after he was appointed by the president to form a new government. He secured 90 votes among the legislators in the 128-member parliament.

The breakthrough came hours ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s arrival for a two-day visit, during which he is expected to press Lebanese officials to formulate a new political pact to lift the country out of its multiple crises. At least 190 people died and 6,000 were injured in the Aug. 4 blast, which devastated the city’s port and caused widespread damage to residential and commercial areas in the capital.

The government resigned less than a week after the blast, which was caused by the ignition of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for six years in a port warehouse.

In his first move after being appointed, Adib visited the historic neighborhood of Gemmayzeh, one of the areas hardest-hit by the explosion, and chatted with residents — something no other Lebanese politician has done.

The reaction was mixed.

“We want the truth, and if you are not going to work for the truth, then we don’t want any of you,” a man told Adib.

Adib said he wanted to form a government in record time so that the investigation into the blast can be faster. He later went into his car and sped off, as some chanted “Adib is one of them!” in reference to the ruling class.

The tension reflects the mammoth task awaiting him as he tries to chart a way out of the crisis.