Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is seriously considering returning to the Grand Serail to carry out his responsibilities as head of a caretaker government, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Hariri is currently carrying out his duties at his Center House.
His decision reflects pessimism regarding the possibility of a breakthrough in the near future in the cabinet formation process.
Meanwhile, caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil suggested the formation of a majoritarian cabinet, which seemed directed against parties that disagree with the Free Patriotic Movement leader concerning the distribution of ministerial shares, particularly the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party.
Reports revealed that Bassil refuses to offer the LF more than three ministers and to limit the Druze representation to the Democratic Gathering bloc of Walid Jumblatt.
However, concerned parties believe that his proposal was inapplicable and not feasible, namely because Hariri, who repeatedly called for a national unity cabinet, is responsible for forming the government.
“Hariri will not yield to the pressure,” an informed source told Lebanon’s Central News Agency on Monday.
Sources from the LF and the Jumblatt’s Progressive Socialist Party agreed said that Bassil’s comments were an attempt to violate the PM-designate authorities.
PSP sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Bassil’s proposal was unconstitutional.
LF sources said it was impossible to form a majoritarian cabinet because the parliamentary elections did not produce a majority and a minority.
