BEIRUT, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday called on ministers and political parties to stop obstructing the election of a new governor for the Central Bank of Lebanon as the term of the current governor ends on July 31.
"The delicacy of the circumstances that Lebanon is going through and the sensitivity of the financial and monetary situation requires an exceptional performance from the ministers and the various concerned political leaders to avoid further tensions and address the urgent situation," Mikati said after failing to hold a cabinet meeting to elect a new governor for the central bank due to lack of quorum.
A statement released by the Council of Ministers quoted Mikati as saying: "Unfortunately, political parties within the government have other priorities, so let each party bear responsibility for its decision."
Mikati also vowed to continue fulfilling his constitutional and national duty and work hard to secure the proper functioning of public institutions, especially the central bank.
The incumbent governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday said he hopes the central bank remains steadfast after the end of his term next week, rejecting rumors about the possibility of extending his term.
Lebanese officials have so far failed to appoint a new governor for the central bank as politicians remain split over whether to appoint a successor or allow the bank's first vice governor to take over, as mentioned by the Lebanese law, reflecting broader divisions that have also left the presidency vacant, plunging the country into further uncertainty. ■
