Zahra: Cabinet Line-Up Leaked to Media True, Near Final

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra stated on Thursday that the government formation process is almost complete and the line-up that was leaked to media outlets is near final.

“The leaked government line-up that was circulated in media outlets is true and almost final,” Zahra told LBCI.

“The only obstacle in the wrangling over portfolios is the representation of the Marada Movement in the new cabinet because the two Shiite parties insist that it be represented through a key portfolio,” added Zahra.

Reports say that Marada wants to get either of three portfolios-public works or energy or telecommunications.

Media reports said that Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has submitted a draft line-up to President Michel Aoun during a meeting Wednesday at the Baabda Palace.

The following is the draft line-up as reported by MTV:

- Shiites: Ali Hassan Khalil (Finance, AMAL Movement), Yassine Jaber (Public Works or Economy, AMAL), Ali Abdullah (Public Works or Economy, AMAL), Ali Fayyad (Industry or Agriculture, Hizbullah) and a fifth minister who would be loyal to the president.

- Maronites: Jebran Bassil (Foreign Affairs, Free Patriotic Movement), Bassam Yammine (Energy, Marada Movement), Ghattas Khoury (Culture, Mustaqbal Movement), Salim al-Sayegh (Education, Kataeb Party) and Pierre Raffoul (Labor, FPM).

- Sunnis: Saad Hariri (PM), Jamal al-Jarrah (Telecommunications, Mustaqbal), Nouhad al-Mashnouq (Interior, Mustaqbal), Mohammed Kabbara (Social Affairs or Environment, Mustaqbal), Moein al-Merehbi (Social Affairs or Environment, Mustaqbal).

- Greek Orthodox: Elias Bou Saab (Defense, FPM), Ibrahim Najjar (Justice, Lebanese Forces) and Ghassan Hasbani (Deputy PM, LF).

- Greek Catholic: Michel Pharaon (Tourism, LF) and Melhem Riachi (Information, LF).

- Druze: Marwan Hamadeh (Health, Democratic Gathering) and Lebanese Democratic Party chief MP Talal Arslan for a portfolio that is yet to be allocated.

Armenians: Hagop Pakradounian (Tashnag Party) for a portfolio that is yet to be allocated and Jean Oghassabian (Administrative Development, Mustaqbal).

The political forces are pushing for forming the new Cabinet before Independence Day, which Lebanon marks on November 22.

According to media reports, a settlement has been reached under which the Lebanese Forces will be given the deputy premier post instead of a so-called sovereign portfolio.