Lebanon's prime minister-designate launched consultations Saturday to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse amid political rifts over the cabinet's line-up.

Debt-burdened Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since former prime minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29 in the face of nationwide protests.

Demonstrators are demanding an overhaul of the political establishment which they deem corrupt and inept, insisting on a government of independents and experts with no ties to the country's sectarian parties.

Hassan Diab, a 60-year-old engineering professor, was designated prime minister on Thursday with backing from the country's Iran-aligned Shiite Hezbollah movement and its allies.

But Hariri's Sunni bloc did not endorse his nomination, along with other key Christian and Druze Muslim parties and have said they will not take part in Diab's government.&nbsp;

Diab, considered a technocrat, is hoping to set up the new cabinet within four to six weeks and has said he wanted to choose experts to join the line-up, calling on demonstrators to give him a "chance" to carry out the task.

The challenges he must overcome became clear however from the onset of Saturday's talks with various officials and lawmakers.

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri said he "insists on securing representation for all parliamentary groups," in the next government -- a position shared by his Shiite Amal party and Hezbollah.

Samir al-Jisr, a deputy from Hariri's Future Movement, urged Diab to form a government "of independent experts not affiliated with established political parties," to rescue Lebanon from the brink of collapse.&nbsp;

"Considering that this government, just like Diab's nomination, will be supported by only one political stripe, then its formation should take less than" a month or six weeks, he said after meeting the premier-designate.

He was referring to allies Hezbollah, Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement founded by Christian President Michel Aoun who chose Diab to form a cabinet.

Financial collapse

Such backing has sparked an uproar, with Sunni supporters of Hariri blocking roads and scuffling with security forces in Beirut and other cities for the past two consecutive nights to voice their opposition for Diab.

Some roads remained blocked on Saturday in Sunni-majority second city Tripoli and in the northern Akkar region.

Hezbollah sought to appease the anger of the protesters on Saturday, insisting that the next government will not be lopsided.

"No one should think the government will be one of confrontation or one endorsed by only one political stripe," said Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad after meeting Diab.

The new government, he said, will seek to "revitalise" the economy that has taken a beating since the unprecedented protests began on October 17.

Since then, tensions have been heightened by the looming bankruptcy of the debt-burdened Lebanese state.

A dollar-liquidity crisis has pushed banks to impose informal capital controls on dollar deposits and the Lebanese pound, officially pegged to the US dollar, has lost around 30 percent of its value on the black market.

The faltering economy has pushed several companies to close, while surviving businesses try to stay open by paying half-salaries and laying off employees.

A recession of more than 0.2 percent is expected for this year, the World Bank says.

The international community, donors, and financial organisations have warned that debt-saddled Lebanon could ill afford any delay in getting a new government.

The United States, France and other allies of Lebanon have warned they would withhold financial support until a government that can demonstrate willingness to reform can be formed.&nbsp;

Multi-confessional Lebanon is ruled by a complex political system that seeks to maintain a fragile equilibrium between political parties representing the country's major confessional sects.&nbsp;

It usually takes months to form a government as political groups haggle over the allocation of cabinet seats and the distribution of ministerial portfolios.

Lebanon's prime minister-designate launched consultations Saturday to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse amid political rifts over the cabinet's line-up.

Lebanon's prime minister-designate launched consultations Saturday to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse amid political rifts over the cabinet's line-up. Debt-burdened Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since former prime minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29 in the face of nationwide protests. Demonstrators are demanding an overhaul of the political establishment which they deem corrupt and inept, insisting on a government of independents and experts with no ties to the country's sectarian parties. Hassan Diab, a 60-year-old engineering professor, was designated prime minister on Thursday with backing from the country's Iran-aligned Shiite Hezbollah movement and its allies. But Hariri's Sunni bloc did not endorse his nomination, along with other key Christian and Druze Muslim parties and have said they will not take part in Diab's government. Diab, considered a technocrat, is hoping to set up the new cabinet within four to six weeks and has said he wanted to choose experts to join the line-up, calling on demonstrators to give him a "chance" to carry out the task. The challenges he must overcome became clear however from the onset of Saturday's talks with various officials and lawmakers. Parliament speaker Nabih Berri said he "insists on securing representation for all parliamentary groups," in the next government -- a position shared by his Shiite Amal party and Hezbollah. Samir al-Jisr, a deputy from Hariri's Future Movement, urged Diab to form a government "of independent experts not affiliated with established political parties," to rescue Lebanon from the brink of collapse. "Considering that this government, just like Diab's nomination, will be supported by only one political stripe, then its formation should take less than" a month or six weeks, he said after meeting the premier-designate. He was referring to allies Hezbollah, Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement founded by Christian President Michel Aoun who chose Diab to form a cabinet. Financial collapse Such backing has sparked an uproar, with Sunni supporters of Hariri blocking roads and scuffling with security forces in Beirut and other cities for the past two consecutive nights to voice their opposition for Diab. Some roads remained blocked on Saturday in Sunni-majority second city Tripoli and in the northern Akkar region. Hezbollah sought to appease the anger of the protesters on Saturday, insisting that the next government will not be lopsided. "No one should think the government will be one of confrontation or one endorsed by only one political stripe," said Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad after meeting Diab. The new government, he said, will seek to "revitalise" the economy that has taken a beating since the unprecedented protests began on October 17. Since then, tensions have been heightened by the looming bankruptcy of the debt-burdened Lebanese state. A dollar-liquidity crisis has pushed banks to impose informal capital controls on dollar deposits and the Lebanese pound, officially pegged to the US dollar, has lost around 30 percent of its value on the black market. The faltering economy has pushed several companies to close, while surviving businesses try to stay open by paying half-salaries and laying off employees. A recession of more than 0.2 percent is expected for this year, the World Bank says. The international community, donors, and financial organisations have warned that debt-saddled Lebanon could ill afford any delay in getting a new government. The United States, France and other allies of Lebanon have warned they would withhold financial support until a government that can demonstrate willingness to reform can be formed. Multi-confessional Lebanon is ruled by a complex political system that seeks to maintain a fragile equilibrium between political parties representing the country's major confessional sects. It usually takes months to form a government as political groups haggle over the allocation of cabinet seats and the distribution of ministerial portfolios.

Lebanon PM-designate begins tough talks to form government

The World Bank urged protest-hit Lebanon on Wednesday to form a new government quickly, warning that an economic downturn would deepen poverty and worsen unemployment.

Students boycotted classes during the day and anti-government demonstrations continued into the evening.

Since October 17, an unprecedented protest movement has targeted a political class deemed incompetent and corrupt. Demonstrations have continued despite the government's resignation last week.

The outgoing cabinet is serving in a caretaker capacity as leaders haggle over the make-up of the next government -- a delay donors say the debt-saddled country can ill afford.

The World Bank warned Wednesday that a "rapid government formation that meets the expectations of all Lebanese people is the most urgent step".

Representatives from the Washington-based global lender met earlier with embattled President Michel Aoun, who has pledged various reforms to combat corruption following the protests.

The World Bank had forecast a contraction of 0.2 percent before the turmoil, but said Wednesday that it now expected Lebanon's recession "to be even more significant".

Without quick steps to address the crisis, about half of Lebanon's population could fall into poverty and unemployment could "rise sharply", the lender said in a statement.

"With every passing day, the situation is becoming more acute," World Bank regional director Saroj Kumar Jha warned.

Corruption

Even before protests erupted last month, growth in Lebanon had stalled following repeated political deadlocks in recent years, compounded by the war in Syria.

Public debt stood at more than $86 billion, or higher than 150 percent of Gross Domestic Product, according to the finance ministry.

Moody's ratings agency on Tuesday downgraded Lebanon's sovereign debt, saying the anti-government protests had hit investor confidence and threatened macroeconomic stability.

Petrol stations owners said they would meet Thursday over persistent difficulties in paying for hydrocarbon imports due to dollar shortages.

A long list of grievances have spurred exasperated Lebanese to protest, but poor living conditions and corruption are near the top.

On Wednesday, the financial prosecutor asked former premier Fouad Siniora to appear next week over $11 billion allegedly spent between 2006 and 2008 when he was in office, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Siniora denied the accusations.

Last month, another prosecutor pressed charges against former prime minister Najib Mikati over allegations he wrongly received millions of dollars in subsidised housing loans, charges he denies.

Lebanon is ranked 138th out of 175 countries in Transparency International's 2018 corruption perceptions index, with key sectarian leaders accused of running demi-fiefdoms.

After meeting the World Bank on Wednesday, Aoun said no suspect would be exempt from investigations into corruption involving current and former officials.

He said 17 such cases have already been referred for investigation.

"The next government will include competent ministers, who are not suspected of corruption," Aoun said on Twitter, seemingly endorsing the demands of protesters.&nbsp;

'Women's rights not a footnote'

Banks opened again on Wednesday and classes resumed at many schools after a two-week gap, as demonstrators protested in various ways.

On Wednesday evening, thousands of women gathered in a central Beirut square near the seat of government, carrying candles as some banged on saucepans, an AFP correspondent said.

"O patriarchal powers, women's rights are not a footnote," they chanted.

On the Beirut waterfront, security forces and activists clashed after protesters tried to enter a private seaside resort, denouncing what they say is illegal privatisation of public property.

Earlier near the Palace of Justice, hundreds demanded an independent judiciary free from political interference, another AFP correspondent reported.&nbsp;

"We don't want judges who receive orders," read one protester's placard.

Across the country, hundreds of students skipped school, refusing to return to class until protest demands are met.

On pupil in Beirut asked Lebanese TV: "What will I do with a school-leaver's certificate if I don't have a country?"&nbsp;

Economist Nassib Ghobril said protesters' demands were aligned with those of international donors, especially in terms of the "fight against corruption" and achieving "good governance and financial rehabilitation".

"Today, there is an opportunity to see real change," he said.&nbsp;

The World Bank urged protest-hit Lebanon on Wednesday to form a new government quickly, warning that an economic downturn would deepen poverty and worsen unemployment.

The World Bank urged protest-hit Lebanon on Wednesday to form a new government quickly, warning that an economic downturn would deepen poverty and worsen unemployment. Students boycotted classes during the day and anti-government demonstrations continued into the evening. Since October 17, an unprecedented protest movement has targeted a political class deemed incompetent and corrupt. Demonstrations have continued despite the government's resignation last week. The outgoing cabinet is serving in a caretaker capacity as leaders haggle over the make-up of the next government -- a delay donors say the debt-saddled country can ill afford. The World Bank warned Wednesday that a "rapid government formation that meets the expectations of all Lebanese people is the most urgent step". Representatives from the Washington-based global lender met earlier with embattled President Michel Aoun, who has pledged various reforms to combat corruption following the protests. The World Bank had forecast a contraction of 0.2 percent before the turmoil, but said Wednesday that it now expected Lebanon's recession "to be even more significant". Without quick steps to address the crisis, about half of Lebanon's population could fall into poverty and unemployment could "rise sharply", the lender said in a statement. "With every passing day, the situation is becoming more acute," World Bank regional director Saroj Kumar Jha warned. Corruption Even before protests erupted last month, growth in Lebanon had stalled following repeated political deadlocks in recent years, compounded by the war in Syria. Public debt stood at more than $86 billion, or higher than 150 percent of Gross Domestic Product, according to the finance ministry. Moody's ratings agency on Tuesday downgraded Lebanon's sovereign debt, saying the anti-government protests had hit investor confidence and threatened macroeconomic stability. Petrol stations owners said they would meet Thursday over persistent difficulties in paying for hydrocarbon imports due to dollar shortages. A long list of grievances have spurred exasperated Lebanese to protest, but poor living conditions and corruption are near the top. On Wednesday, the financial prosecutor asked former premier Fouad Siniora to appear next week over $11 billion allegedly spent between 2006 and 2008 when he was in office, the state-run National News Agency reported. Siniora denied the accusations. Last month, another prosecutor pressed charges against former prime minister Najib Mikati over allegations he wrongly received millions of dollars in subsidised housing loans, charges he denies. Lebanon is ranked 138th out of 175 countries in Transparency International's 2018 corruption perceptions index, with key sectarian leaders accused of running demi-fiefdoms. After meeting the World Bank on Wednesday, Aoun said no suspect would be exempt from investigations into corruption involving current and former officials. He said 17 such cases have already been referred for investigation. "The next government will include competent ministers, who are not suspected of corruption," Aoun said on Twitter, seemingly endorsing the demands of protesters. 'Women's rights not a footnote' Banks opened again on Wednesday and classes resumed at many schools after a two-week gap, as demonstrators protested in various ways. On Wednesday evening, thousands of women gathered in a central Beirut square near the seat of government, carrying candles as some banged on saucepans, an AFP correspondent said. "O patriarchal powers, women's rights are not a footnote," they chanted. On the Beirut waterfront, security forces and activists clashed after protesters tried to enter a private seaside resort, denouncing what they say is illegal privatisation of public property. Earlier near the Palace of Justice, hundreds demanded an independent judiciary free from political interference, another AFP correspondent reported. "We don't want judges who receive orders," read one protester's placard. Across the country, hundreds of students skipped school, refusing to return to class until protest demands are met. On pupil in Beirut asked Lebanese TV: "What will I do with a school-leaver's certificate if I don't have a country?" Economist Nassib Ghobril said protesters' demands were aligned with those of international donors, especially in terms of the "fight against corruption" and achieving "good governance and financial rehabilitation". "Today, there is an opportunity to see real change," he said.

World Bank urges Lebanon to form government, warns of recession

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Lebanon PM-designate begins tough talks to form government

World Bank urges Lebanon to form government, warns of recession