Lebanese PM appeals for quick int'l aid, warns about Lebanon's collapse

Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab appealed on Tuesday to the international community to help his country avert an imminent disaster, warning that Lebanon's collapse would affect the stability of the whole region, National News Agency reported.

"The picture has become clear: Lebanon and the Lebanese are standing on the brink of disaster," Diab said at a meeting with heads of diplomatic missions in Beirut.

"I call on the world to save Lebanon, and I appeal to brothers and friends to stand by the Lebanese people," he added.

Lebanon's stability is necessary for the stability of the whole region as the country hosts around 1.5 million Syrian refugees and thousands of Palestinian refugees, the prime minister noted.

Diab urged the international community to help Lebanon even before the implementation of any reform measures as leaders are still struggling to form a government and the country cannot bear further delays.