Hariri, Aoun to Hold Talks Thursday on Cabinet Line-Up

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and President Michel agreed to meet on Thursday to discuss the Cabinet formation process, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Hariri made a phone call this morning to Aoun, during which he agreed on a visit to the presidential palace on Thursday to follow up consultations on the formation of the government, NNA said.

Later on Wednesday, Aoun held talks in Baabda with caretaker Information Minister Melhem Riachi, who was delegated by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

The Presidency said talks tackled "the Cabinet formation process."

Riachi for his part described the meeting as "very positive."

Hariri on Friday submitted a Cabinet line-up format which Speaker Nabih Berri agreed to and Aoun reportedly rejected.

According to reports, the line-up included three ministers for Aoun including a Christian loyal to MP Talal Arslan and a Sunni from outside Hariri’s al-Mustaqbal Movement. It also allocated the three Druze seats to Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat.

The line-up also reportedly involved giving the defense portfolio to the Lebanese Forces.

All these formulas were however rejected by Baabda and the parties were informed of this on Sunday evening.