Lebanon's prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam is expected to announce the new cabinet in the coming days if the Lebanese Forces party’s demands for a so-called “sovereign” portfolio were met, parliamentary sources told Asharq al-Awsat.
According to the sources, Salam and President Michel Aoun will not reveal the cabinet formation before making their stance clear from the LF’s demand for the Foreign Ministry portfolio.
A tug-of-war over the Finance Ministry post has sparked political tensions in Lebanon, with the LF threatening to boycott the government if Hezbollah and Amal name that minister and other key positions. Speaker Nabih Berri, who heads the Amal movement, has insisted on nominating lawmaker and former minister Yassin Jaber for the post.
The sources told the newspaper that retired Brig. Gen. from the Internal Security Forces Ahmed al-Hajjar will like get the Interior Ministry portfolio, while the Defense Ministry will be headed by retired Army Maj. Gen. Michel Mnassa.
Jaber is set to head the Finance Ministry while former Ambassador Naji Abu Assi will likely become Foreign Minister unless he was replaced by a Maronite to appease the LF, the sources added.
Salam was nominated on Jan. 13 to form Lebanon's new cabinet. He has spent the last three weeks consulting with political parties to form a government, whose posts are doled out based on sect and political affiliation.
