Kanaan Says Govt. Formation Process in 'Final Square'

Strong Lebanon bloc secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan reassured Friday that things “have not returned to square one” in the Cabinet formation process.

“We are in the final square regarding the Cabinet formation process, and if there is a real Lebanese will to form it, the issue will be settled through consultations between the President and the Prime Minister-designate,” Kanaan said in an interview on MTV.

The lawmaker also called for “Lebanizing the governmental file” and noted that the Free Patriotic Movement is the “most aggrieved party.”

“Today, the FPM is the most aggrieved party and the public interest requires us to stand firm, but one day we will call things by their name,” Kanaan went on to say.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was tasked with forming a new government on May 24.

His mission is being hampered by political wrangling over ministerial seats, especially over Christian and Druze representation.

On Monday, Hariri presented to President Michel Aoun a draft line-up reportedly granting the Lebanese Forces four ministerial portfolios. Aoun voiced reservations over the draft and is scheduled to meet with Hariri's adviser Ghattas Khoury later on Friday.