Date: Dec 21, 2019 Source: The Daily Star ‘Leave!’ Hariri supporters tell Diab New govt of experts will be formed within six weeks: Diab BEIRUT: Supporters of caretaker Saad Hariri blocked roads across the country Friday as they fumed at the nomination of Hassan Diab as the new prime minister-designate. Those protesting blocked roads across Tripoli, the Bekaa, Sidon and parts of Beirut with burning tires and, at times, clashed with soldiers of the Lebanese Army. A six-wheel truck filled with sand and gravel pulled up to Corniche al-Mazraa in an attempt to block the road before soldiers forced the driver out and prevented any dumping. This came as hundreds gathered, blocking roads in Corniche al-Mazraa and facing off with dozens of Lebanese Army personnel and anti-riot police from the Internal Security Forces. The road in Naameh toward south Lebanon was blocked intermittently as security forces and protesters exchanged control of the street. Earlier in the day, Saad Hariri called upon his supporters to leave the streets, after the scuffles broke out between the protesters and Army in Corniche al-Mazraa. “To those who really love me, get off the streets immediately,” Hariri wrote on Twitter. However, this fell mostly upon deaf ears as the protesters continued to block roads. Many roads in central Bekaa remained blocked after protesters closed them Thursday night. Mounds of dirt, stones and iron barriers were used to block roads along Zahle’s main highway and in other areas of Zahle, including Saadnayel, Taalbaya, Qubb Elias and Jdita, the state-run National News Agency reported. Roads in Al-Marj, Masnaa in West Bekaa were also obstructed in a similar way. The Naameh and Jiyyeh highways, which link Beirut to south Lebanon were also cut off by protesters, as drivers were left stranded for hours. In Tripoli, protesters blocked roads at the “Roxy” intersection in both directions with stones and containers. Roads near Al-Nour Square, Beddawi and Tabbaneh are also blocked as were those in Akkar, roads in Halba, Abdeh and Bireh. Diab, a professor at the American University of Beirut and former education minister, was designated by President Michel Aoun to form a new government after receiving the support of a parliamentary majority in binding consultations held Thursday at Baabda Palace. Little Sunni support was given to Diab and many protesters from the Muslim sect took offense and criticized the lack of sectarian balance in the nomination. Following his designation, Diab asked for a chance to form a new Cabinet as soon as possible, stressing that all efforts should be geared toward preventing an all-out collapse of the country. Friday he took a jab at protesters blocking roads asking how he could carry out the needed consultations to form a new government “if roads are blocked.” In the evening, a number of protesters headed to Diab’s residence shouting: “Leave, leave, leave,” calling for the newly-designated premier to step down before even forming a government. Some media reports surfaced quoting him as saying that he ordered roads to be opened “by force.” However, a statement from his office quickly rejected any such talk. Thursday night, protesters gathered in Downtown Beirut to make their opposition to Diab’s announcement heard. New govt of experts will be formed within six weeks: Diab The Daily Star BEIRUT: Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab met with caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri Friday morning to discuss the formation of Lebanon's new government and confirm that it will be one of specialists. "I confirm that the government will be one of independent specialists, and that we will take care of the country and address the problems that we all know about," Diab told reporters after visiting Hariri at his Downtown Beirut residence. "I will include specialists from all fields ... and we will work as one team," he added. Diab said the meeting had a "special flavor," that Hariri had offered his total cooperation in forming a new government and that his stance was one of a statesman. Earlier Friday, Diab told the German TV station Deutsche Welle that a new government will be formed within six weeks. "Previous governments in the last decade took a year to form and I seek to form a government in the next four weeks or a period that does not exceed six weeks," Diab said in an interview. In binding consultations Thursday, Diab received the backing of a parliamentary majority to become the country's next prime minister. He received a total of 69 votes, with support from the Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, and their Christian ally the Free Patriotic Movement. Despite being designated to occupy the highest Sunni post in Lebanon's government, Diab failed to win support from Saad Hariri’s Future Movement – the largest Sunni party in Lebanon. Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party also declined to participate in Diab’s government. Diab, a career academic and former education minister, has attempted to position himself as an independent specialist.