Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is expected following his return from Saudi Arabia to resolve the remaining obstacles hindering the government formation process, mainly those linked to the Lebanese Forces (LF) shares and the representation of the March 8 coalition’s Sunni factions.
Meanwhile, Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) deputy Alain Aoun held the Lebanese Forces responsible for the delay in the announcement of the cabinet, hinting that the Movement would search for another Christian partner if the LF chooses not to be part of the executive authority.
Aoun told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that the distribution of ministerial shares reached its final stage.
“The LF should quickly decide to accept the ministerial shares offered by Hariri and not to hinder the formation of a new government,” Aoun said.
However, LF deputy George Adwan said that no government is going to be formed without the Lebanese Forces.
LF sources said the party is waiting for Hariri’s response on the ideas proposed by caretaker Information Minister Melhem Riachi, to later build on them.
On Thursday, Hariri held a meeting with caretaker Public Works Minister Youssef Finianos, dispatched from head of the Marada Movement, former MP Suleiman Franjieh. The minister left without making comments.
Meanwhile, it was surprising that Speaker Nabih Berri did not set a date for Parliament’s legislative sessions, which he had previously called for, betting on some breakthrough in the cabinet formation process.
In this regard, MP Elie Ferzli said the Parliament Bureau, which met Thursday, has not fixed a date for the next plenary session, pending new developments on the next government.
Berri chaired the Bureau's meeting at his Ain-el-Tineh residence to discuss the next session's agenda.
