Newly designated Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab kicked off on Saturday consultations with parliamentary blocs to discuss the shape of the future government. Diab, a university professor and former education minister, will have to steer Lebanon out of its worst economic and financial crisis in decades. He is also taking office against the backdrop of ongoing nationwide protests against the countrys ruling elite. The consultations began a day after scuffles broke out in Beirut and other areas between supporters of the outgoing prime minister, Saad Hariri, and Lebanese troops and riot policemen. The ex-premiers supporters were protesting Diabs nomination. The scuffles left at least seven soldiers injured. The PM-designate began his meetings Saturday at parliament with Speaker Nabih Berri, then held talks with former prime ministers, including caretaker premier Hariri. The two men had also met the previous day, when Diab said he plans to form a government of experts and independents to deal with the countrys crippling economic crisis. Lebanese banks have imposed unprecedented capital controls over the past weeks. Thousands have lost their jobs, while the economy is expected to contract in 2020. Hariri cautioned his supports Saturday against violent protests, saying: "The army is ours and police forces are for all Lebanese.” His Mustaqbal bloc announced after talks with Diab that it will not take part in the new government, which it hoped would be comprised of technocrats. The new prime minister won a majority of lawmakers votes after receiving backing from the powerful Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah and its allies, which have a majority of seats in parliament. However, he lacks the support of major Sunni figures, including the largest Sunni party headed by Hariri. Thats particularly problematic for Diab, who, as a Sunni, does not have the backing of his own community. And under Lebanons sectarian power-sharing agreement, the prime minister must be Sunni. Hezbollah had backed Hariri for prime minister from the start, but the group differed with him over the shape of the new government. Lebanons sustained, leaderless protests erupted in mid-October, and forced Hariris resignation within days. But politicians were later unable to agree on a new prime minister. The ongoing protests and paralysis have worsened the economic crisis.