The United States welcomed the fact that Lebanon’s parliamentary elections were held on schedule and without major security incidents on Friday, but encouraged the country’s leaders to form a government as soon as possible to address the country’s severe economic problems.

Hezbollah and its supporters lost a legislative majority in last weekend’s elections.

“We congratulate the Lebanese people on their participation despite challenging circumstances, we also recognize the important role the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces played in supporting the process and maintaining security,” State Department Spokesman Ned Price said.

“As Lebanon looks ahead, we urge those elected and the country’s political leaders to heed the Lebanese people’s call for change and to work seriously, and with urgency, to take the necessary actions to rescue the economy,” he added.

The U.S. welcomes Lebanon's recent parliamentary elections, which were held on time without major security incidents. We urge Lebanese leaders to heed the Lebanese people's will through urgent actions that rescue the economy and swiftly form a government.https://t.co/ChCCswyXFs

— State Department Spokesperson 2013-2025 (@statedeptspox_a) May 20, 2022

Price said the US was urging the swift formation of a new government able to carry out the “hard work required to restore the confidence of the Lebanese people and the international community.”

After videos surfaced reportedly showing Hezbollah supporters swapping vote ballots, ripping up others, and ransacking voting booths in Baalbek, Price voiced the US’ worries.

“We share the concerns raised by our partners in the international community of allegations of vote-buying, clientelism, and reports of intimidation,” he said.

Lebanon’s cabinet on Friday passed an economic recovery plan designed to pull the country out of a three-year financial meltdown.

Ministers agreed on the measure in the cabinet’s final session just before losing decision-making powers, following the election, that is set to designate a new prime minister.

The World Bank has called Lebanon’s financial crisis one of the worst the world has seen in over 150 years.

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