Salam Meets Saniora to Discuss Cabinet Formation process
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam held talks with head of al-Mustaqbal Parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora as optimism loomed over the formation of an all-embracing cabinet
The meeting between the two officials on Monday night focused on the latest developments regarding the cabinet formation process.
The government formation process has witnessed an intensified a political activity in an attempt to end the standstill since Salam was appointed in April.
The cabinet formation process was put on the front burner after Speaker Nabih Berri proposed a revised 8-8-8 government formula and President Michel Suleiman said he would form a so-called neutral cabinet if the political rivals don't agree on an all-embracing government within ten days.
Amid the Lebanese Forces' rejection of Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet, the March 14 camp has reportedly accepted the 8-8-8 formula in principle, but it is awaiting answers pertaining to the ministerial policy statement and the rotation of portfolios among political parties.
The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists and March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.
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