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Lebanon: Cabinet Between ‘Positive Allusions’ and Absence of Practical Solutions | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Hariri speaks on Friday after meeting Berri at Ain Al Tineh in Beirut/ NNA


Beirut – The positive positions launched by each of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and the Secretary General of the so-called Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah on Friday and which alluded that a new cabinet could possibly be formed in the next hours did not meet with any practical measures that would secure the smooth birth of a new government.

On the contrary, conflicting information emerged on Saturday saying each party was still attached to its demands in the absence of any new suggestions that could facilitate an adequate exit to the frozen cabinet lineup.

High-level sources at the Future Movement responded to what it said were “positive allusions” expressed by the so-called Nasrallah during his last speech and by Speaker Nabih Berri who are both trying to “throw the ball of delaying the cabinet formation from their camp to the camp of their opponents.”

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat: “If the obstacles are known and the intentions are positive, as some say, then why is the cabinet not formed yet?”

The sources said that the two Shi’ite parties (Amal and Hezbollah) seek to find a role in the formation of the cabinet.

“They are trying to create a role in the operation of the cabinet formation, which according to all constitutional texts should be the task of the President and the prime minister-designate,” the sources added.

Also, sources at the Lebanese Forces (LF) said on Saturday that the party is still attached to its ministerial share and has no intention to renounce the Public Affairs ministry, after the party relinquished its right to receive a leading portfolio.

The LF sources told Asharq Al-Awsat: “In addition to the public affairs ministry, we insist on receiving the Information and the Social Affairs portfolios, in addition to the post of the deputy Prime Minister. The party who is not pleased with our demands, let him file a complaint to the concerned parties, who are President Aoun and Hariri.”

On Friday night, Hariri visited Berri to discuss the cabinet stalemate.

After the meeting, Hariri said: “Speaker Berri is highly keen on speeding up the formation of the Cabinet and surmounting all hurdles. The climate is undoubtedly positive, and we will reach a happy end soon.”