Report: ‘No Horizon’ for Lebanon Cabinet Formation

Political consultations gearing up to form a new Lebanese Cabinet seem to have “no horizon” in light of lingering obstacles, mainly the one related to the representation of the Lebanese Forces, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Friday.

Recent meetings held at the Presidential Palace and the Center House aimed at facilitating the lineup and find common ground that meets the approval of all, have failed to reach a breakthrough, said the daily.

A “lengthy” meeting between LF chief Samir Geagea and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri at the Center House on Wednesday, “brought some optimism”, but that was soon abandoned when Hariri sources said the two men held discussions “within the framework of coordination and consultation without carrying anything new.”

Unnamed sources told the daily on condition of anonymity that Hariri has presented all “his reasonable and acceptable solutions. There is no explanation for not accepting these solutions. He is waiting for a clear response from President Michel Aoun. If the recent proposals are accepted, then we approach a government lineup, but if not, then Hariri will reveal the reasons for obstruction.”

In a statement to the daily, an LF official expressed regret that "the other party (in reference to the Free Patriotic Movement) refuses to meet Hariri in the middle of the road.Those who refuse to talk and raise the ceilings of their demands (in reference to Foreign Minister, FPM chief Jebran Bassil) are the ones obstructing the government,” he said.

March 14 alliance sources clearly explained that Bassil is the one hindering the formation process. “He acts as if he has the authority to form a government, and everyone must comply with his will,” they said.

On Thursday, the LF announced, during talks between LF Information Minister Melhem Riachi and President Michel Aoun, their willingness to facilitate the mission of Hariri but within the “minimum limits that respect their political weight and the outcome of the parliamentary elections” that almost doubled the number of their parliamentary seats.

Hariri was tasked with forming a government on May 24, but wrangling between political parties over ministerial quotas and portfolios have delayed his mission.