Bassil Shows Flexibility as Adib's Chances Surge Again

Will the upcoming days be decisive regarding the long-awaited formation of the new government, as Hizbullah chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said in his televised speech on Monday? Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has shown flexibility, but sources expect PM-designate Saad Hariri to apologize.

In remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Tuesday, informed sources linked Nasrallah’s words about “decisive days” to a “new development”: the flexibility that Bassil has shown regarding Hariri’s demand that his government obtain a “prior vote of confidence” from the FPM, which would facilitate the government formation.

“Hariri will not form (a government) even if we accept that he nominates the 24 ministers,” FPM sources assured. According to them this is certain because “Saudi Arabia has said its word,” and the Prime Minister-designate is now “closer than ever before to apologize, but he is waiting for a replacement to be found and for a decent exit.”

Al-Akhbar anticipated in a report that Hariri might probably visit the Baabda Palace, next Friday, with a government line-up that does not meet the conditions set by President Michel Aoun, which will lead to its refusal, and thus the PM-designate will “refuse to proceed with his mission, and step down with the least possible losses, without appearing as a loser in front of Bassil.”

Hariri’s resignation, however, hinges on his agreement with Berri about the prime minister who will be appointed after him.

“The chances of the Lebanese ambassador in Germany, Mustafa Adib, have (meanwhile) increased again,” al-Akhbar reported, adding that “Adib assured everyone who communicated with him that he will not repeat his last year’s mistake, and would not return to the Lebanese arena unless the formation of the government was guaranteed prior to his designation.”