Najib Mikati accepted, on Monday, his assignation to forming a new government in Lebanon, calling on “all the Lebanese” to cooperate to get the country out of its stifling crisis.

“I took the step knowing the reality of the situation. I studied my step and I have international guarantees,” Mikati said in a brief press conference.

Meanwhile, the prime minister-designate said he “does not have a magic wand and he cannot perform miracles”.

Mikati likened the situation in Lebanon to “a fire that spreads every day to reach everyone’s homes,” adding: “I relied on God and took the step to try to stop this fire. Extinguishing the fire requires the cooperation of all Lebanese.”

Mikati said that his government’s priority would be to implement the French initiative, in order to “save Lebanon”, but he quickly ended the conference, refusing to answer journalists’ questions.