Report: Berri, Hariri Agree LF Success in Elections Must Reflect in Govt.

A suggestion to form a 24-member Cabinet instead of 30 has been raised in the last few days as a way to find a solution for “the Christian and Druze representation” that have been reportedly delaying the Cabinet formation process, the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily said on Friday.

However, the suggestion, which automatically reduces the number of ministers of the six main political parties, has been dropped under the pretext that all political parties must be represented in the Cabinet which calls for a 30-portfolio Cabinet, a political source following on the formation process told the daily.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Speaker Nabih Berri supports Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s view on the representation of the Lebanese Forces, noting that “it should reflect their win in the parliamentary elections.”

The LF insists on proper representation in the new Cabinet in light of the parliamentary elections outcome, which produced dramatic success for the party almost doubling its national seats.

Furthermore, Berri reportedly agrees with Hariri that Druze ministers must be strictly named by the Progressive Socialist party chief Walid Jumblat.

“His position differs with President Michel Aoun on what is now known as the Christian representation and the Druze representation,” said the daily.

Jumblat insists that PSP ministers allocate the three Druze seats in the new government. While Druze MP Talal Arsal also demands a share.

“Before he traveled from Beirut, Berri frankly told his visitors that he supports Hariri’s position on these two points,” said the daily.

“It must be recognized that the Lebanese Forces have made significant progress in the recent parliamentary elections which must be reflected in the size of their representation in the government,” Berri was quoted as saying.