Al-Rahi Hopes 'Inclusive Govt.' Will be 'Christmas Gift' to Lebanese

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on the political parties on Tuesday to form the new government before Christmas.

“Lebanon overcame a difficult period through the election of a president and we hope the government will be formed before Christmas so that it be the Christmas gift,” al-Rahi said.

Later on Tuesday, al-Rahi said President Michel Aoun was elected "through an agreement that we were not even dreaming of, topped by his agreement with the Lebanese Forces, as well as with the Sunnis who nominated the General."

"President Aoun was elected through national consensus, an inter-Maronite reconciliation and a Maronite-Sunni reconciliation, and I hope this national reconciliation will be completed by the formation of an inclusive government."

Aoun's election as president and Saad 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.