New Govt. Hurdle as Hizbullah Insists on Representation of Sunni Opposition

A new obstacle emerged Monday in the cabinet formation process after a long-running standoff over the representation of the Lebanese Forces was resolved.

“We insist on representing the Sunni opposition in the government and those who waited the LF several months can wait for a few days,” LBCI television quoted a “Hizbullah source” as saying.

MTV meanwhile reported that Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri “has not yet received the names of Hizbullah's three ministers” and that the party is insisting that Hariri should give up one of the Sunni seats.

“Hariri has informed several political parties that he would step down from the mission of forming the government should Hizbullah continue to insist on the appointment of a Sunni minister from al-Mustaqbal Movement's share,” MTV said.

“Search for another premier in this case,” the TV network quoted Hariri as saying.

MTV added that so far, Hariri “has not taken a decision to head to Baabda tonight.”

Quoting Baabda sources, MTV later reported that “President Aoun's share includes a Sunni minister and the possibility of this minister representing the Sunni opposition requires consultations with the PM-designate.”