![Mustapha Adib, a little known academic and diplomat, is expected to become the troubled country's next prime minister [File: Wolfgang Kumm/DPA via AFP]](/sites/default/files/styles/d08_standard/public/2020-08/db6d99bbacb54fdea1fade78ddff3fcb_18.jpg?h=ae1281eb&itok=fPKlrYt4 "Mustapha Adib, a little known academic and diplomat, is expected to become the troubled country's next prime minister [File: Wolfgang Kumm/DPA via AFP]")
Binding parliamentary consultations to designate the next Lebanese prime minister began Monday morning at Baabda Palace, with Lebanon’s Ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib as the favorite candidate among political forces.
The consultations kicked off with former Prime Minister Najib Mikati at 9 a.m., who visited President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace, after which he announced that Adib is his candidate for the premiership.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri was next to arrive at 9:15 a.m. to meet with Aoun.
Adib emerged as a candidate to head the next Lebanese government Sunday night, after a group of former ex-PMs that includes Saad Hariri, Tammam Salam, Fouad Siniora and Mikati, announced their choice Sunday night.
Shortly after the announcement, the Future Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, Hezbollah and Amal all endorsed Adib, according to a political source.
The consultations are set to end around 1:30 p.m. after which a new prime minister designate will be announced, who will be tasked with forming a new government to replace the 8-month-old Cabinet of caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who resigned on Aug. 10 under in the wake of the deadly Beirut Port blast and popular pressure.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
