Government formation efforts in Lebanon have hit a sudden snag over internal and foreign objections to the candidacy of former minister Yassine Jaber for the position of finance minister.
The Shiite duo of Hezbollah and the Amal movement continue to insist on holding on to the portfolio. Amal movement leader and Speaker Nabih Berri has been insisting on Jaber’s nomination.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that there are internal and foreign objections to Jaber’s appointment to the post.
“The Americans do not trust him,” they added.
The Lebanese Forces, meanwhile, said it would not deliver the names of the ministers who will represent it in cabinet if the Shiite duo continues to be unyielding in its stance.
Addressing the government formation efforts, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam reiterated that he continues to adhere to the “principles and standards” that he had repeatedly underlined and that finance portfolio cannot be monopolized by any single sect.
He stressed that he is continuing his efforts to form a government that meets the aspirations of the Lebanese people and that will carry out reforms.
In a post on the X platform, he refuted media reports about the formation process, saying “rumors and speculation are aimed at creating confusion.”
Lebanon had been expecting a swift government formation process in wake of reports that said obstacles had been overcome.
Member of the National Moderation bloc MP Walid al-Baarini criticized the delay in the formation, saying: “We have had enough. We have kept silent for days and given the PM-designate the chance to complete his consultations.”
“But to give those who have repeatedly resorted to intimidation (...), while we, as representatives of Akkar, Tripoli, Miniyeh and Danniyeh, and the North, are ignored, then this is too much to bear and a violation of all red lines,” he declared.
He called on President Joseph Aoun to intervene to “correct course, otherwise face a revolt against attempts to marginalize us.”
