Report: Cabinet Line-Up Behind Time Despite Positive 'Vibes'
Despite the positive atmospheres that emerged in the past two days heralding a cabinet would be formed soon, sources close to Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said the formation is likely to be delayed, media reports said Thursday.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity that discussions on the distribution of ministerial portfolios and shares in the new cabinet are not complete.
“Despite the positive atmospheres that emerged lately, it seems a new cabinet is unlikely to be formed soon despite implications of Hizbullah and the March 8 alliance that a government will be lined-up before Christmas,” remarked the source.
“Disagreements over the public works and education portfolios still linger. The problem goes beyond which portfolio to be given to whom. It is related to the redistribution of shares,” it added.
“The major problem centers on the enlarged share of the Lebanese Forces party, which made others adhere adamantly to their own demands.”
The sources concluded that if it was not for the “large LF share,” the problem with the Marada Movement would have been solved quickly, and Suleiman Franjieh (Marada chief) might have approved to be given the Culture Ministry.
Aoun's election as president and Hariri's appointment as premier-designate have raised hopes that Lebanon can begin tackling challenges including a stagnant economy, a moribund political class and the influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.
But Aoun and Hariri are still struggling to put together a new cabinet amid conflicting demands from the political forces that are seeking to join the unity government.
Horsetrading is still revolving around the so-called services-related ministerial portfolios, mainly public works and telecommunications.
Speaker Nabih Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, is clinging to the finance and public works portfolios while also insisting that the Marada Movement must get a key portfolio.
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