Aoun Says No Party Will 'Monopolize' Representation in New Govt.

President Michel Aoun announced Wednesday that the new government will “bring together the Lebanese components” without any “marginalization” or “monopolization.”

“Some demands have so far delayed the formation of the government,” Aoun said in a speech marking Army Day.

“I reiterate my determination, in cooperation with the PM-designate, to pull out the country of the government delay crisis, counting on the cooperation of all parties and their patriotic sense, because any regress in this period of our history would be betrayal of the country and the people's aspirations,” the president added.

He underlined that the new government should “bring together the Lebanese components without marginalizing any component... or monopolizing the representation of any sect.”

“The voice of the Lebanese which has been represented in parliament should also be reflected on the new government's line-up,” Aoun went on to say, stressing that he will seek to prevent “any hegemony of one camp over another.”

“It should not achieve the interest of a certain party seeking to monopolize its decisions or to impede the state's rise,” the president added.

PM-designate Saad Hariri was tasked with forming a new government on May 24. The main obstacle hindering his mission is political wrangling over Christian and Druze representation.