Lebanon’s new PM pledges to stabilize economic meltdown

By ZEINA KARAM and SARAH EL DEEB
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s new prime minister has pledged to try and gain control of one of the world’s worst economic meltdowns, after forming a government following a year of political stalemate.  Lebanon has been without a fully empowered government since the catastrophic Aug. 4, 2020 explosion at Beirut port, which forced the resignation of then Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government. Rival political groups had been locked in disagreement over the make-up of a new government since then, hastening the country’s economic meltdown. The new government headed by billionaire businessman Najib Mikati was announced Friday by the office of President Michel Aoun.