Aoun Tells Hariri 'We Can't Continue Like This'

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri did not carry any “clear Cabinet format” to President Michel Aoun during his visit to the Baabda Palace on Wednesday, a media report published Thursday said.

“He tried to explore the possibility of resolving the obstacles, especially the Christian one,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

“There are indications of progress, but they are not sufficient to lead to the formation of the government,” the daily added.

Senior Free Patriotic Movement sources meanwhile told al-Akhbar that Hariri “wanted to promote his TV interview scheduled for today and to say that he is positive.”

The sources also revealed that FPM chief MP Jebran Bassil will hold a press conference Friday at noon to declare the movement's “complete stance” on the Cabinet formation process.

The sources added that Baabda's meeting on Wednesday had witnessed “a full political demonstration of the formation file and of the obstacles, without delving into any new draft Cabinet line-up.”

“Aoun urged Hariri to expedite the formation process, telling him we cannot continue like this,” the sources revealed.

The sources however noted that “the negotiations are not deadlocked and the coming days will witness a new round of consultations.”