Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is planning on making new “proposals” to the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party in an attempt to break a monthslong deadlock in forming the government, informed political sources said.
The latest development came after Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, who on Wednesday discussed the stalemate with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace, quoted the president as saying that Hariri will present a cabinet lineup within the next two days.
“I felt that the president is optimistic,” said al-Rahi.
This comes as Hariri met Wednesday night with LF chief Samir Geagea at the Center House in Beirut. It is believed that the PM-designate made a proposal to give the party three main portfolios, including the education ministry.
But informed sources expected Geagea to reject the proposal by claiming “it does not go in tandem with the LF’s representation” in the parliament.
The cabinet deadlock revolves mainly around demands made by Walid Jumblat’s PSP and the LF, which have been dubbed as the problems of the Druze and Christian representation in the new government.
Hariri has limited choices with regards to the LF representation. Aoun is holding onto the positions of the deputy prime minister and the defense ministry, while Jebran Bassil, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement that has been founded by the president, has rejected to give the LF a cabinet seat from the FPM’s share.
As for the Druze representation, Jumblat is asking for all three cabinet seats designated for his sect, while the FPM wants to grant its ally Druze MP Talal Arslan a share in the government.
Sources close to Jumblat told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that the PSP leader hasn’t yet received any proposal regarding his party’s representation in the government.
“There are currently no contacts with the PSP,” they said.
However, Hariri plans to meet separately with Bassil and Jumblat.
Meanwhile, Speaker Nabih Berri warned that he would call for parliamentary sessions if the government was not formed soon.
During his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain al-Tineh residence, Berri reiterated the need to form a national unity cabinet.
