Report: Government Formation Faces ‘Setback’

The latest positive political momentum heralding a near formation of the government faces a setback and raises fears of new difficulties that could delay the lineup further.

“The unfortunate development was surprising,” said al-Joumhouria daily on Saturday. “It was embodied in the political positions of some (parties) over the distribution of ministerial portfolios.”

President Michel Aoun, the Free Patriotic Movement and Hizbullah party have refused allocating the justice ministry for the Lebanese Forces party.

Aoun is reportedly insisting on naming the justice minister in the new government after the failure to give him an alternative.

However, a senior official assured that “efforts to form a cabinet did not go in vain despite uncertainty. It will only be delayed for a few more days because the decision is taken and it will be formed before the end of this month."

Caretaker Information Minister Melhem Riachi of the Lebanese Forces warned Friday that some parties were seeking to undermine Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's latest efforts to resolve the government deadlock.

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