BEIRUT, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Caretaker Tourism Minister Avedis Guidanian on Saturday called on Lebanese citizens to stage nationwide protests in a bid to pressure Lebanese officials to accelerate government formation.

"If economic bodies and Lebanese citizens decide to protest, I will be the first one to take part in these demonstrations," he was quoted by the National News Agency as saying.

Guidanian said that Lebanon is wasting tremendous opportunities in the absence of an active government.

However, he said that growth in the tourism sector was seen in the first half of this year despite the absence of a cabinet and Lebanon's incapability of taking part in worldwide exhibitions.

Lebanon is estimated to receive 2 million tourists by the end of 2018, he said.