Report: Govt. Deadlock Lingers in Absence of Serious Efforts

Conflict over the Christian representation between President Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea has “complicated” further the mission of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to form a new government after more than five months of delay, the Kuwaiti Asseyasah daily reported on Friday.

Parliamentary sources following on the formation process “drew a dark image of the process,” saying the dispute between the Free Patriotic Movement of Aoun and the LF “drew higher barriers” in front of Hariri’s already delayed mission to line a government that meets approval of all political parties.

The sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the daily: “There are no serious discussions to form a government in the short run. It has become evident that no one is willing to facilitate Hariri’s mission.

“President Aoun and the FPM do not want to let the LF get four portfolios, nor do they want to allocate three Druze seats to the Progressive Socialist Party. The crisis is lingering, it will even get more complicated,” they said.

Hariri was tasked with forming a government on May 24 but wrangling between parties over shares and portfolios has delayed his mission.