Bassil Says 'Things Very Positive', Urges 'Productive Govt.'

Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil announced Friday that “things are very positive” regarding the cabinet formation process, following talks with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.

“Things are very positive and I believe that we are in the right track to form a government respecting the standards of fairness and correct representation, a national unity government that does not exclude anyone,” Bassil said after the meeting at the Center House.

“What's more important is to have a productive government that would achieve the aspirations that the people have been waiting for, because we do not want to take citizens to new disappointments,” he added.

“As for us, we have offered all the necessary concessions so that we reach a government that achieves all these points in terms of numbers and portfolios,” Bassil pointed out.

And noting that “this issue is in the hands of the PM-designate, who would consult with the President before they eventually reach an agreement,” Bassil emphasized that the FPM is “not encroaching on anyone's right.”

Wrangling between President Michel Aoun and the Lebanese Forces over the justice portfolio is reportedly the new obstacle that is delaying the formation of the government.