Houri: Obstacles Hindering Cabinet Formation Alleviated

Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Ammar Houri confirmed on Thursday that impediments hindering the formation of the new Lebanese cabinet have been finally alleviated, the National News Agency reported.

“We are closer than ever to the announcement of the cabinet line-up,” Houri said in an interview to the told Orient Radio station, citing the example of other countries worldwide who make similar efforts to ensure the best political representation of their respective political party.

Touching on the stipulation of a new electoral law, the MP said: “A new electoral law will be formed in case of good intentions.”

He expected the impending parliamentary election to take place based on a law draft that had been forwarded by the Mustaqbal bloc, the Lebanese Forces, and the Democratic Gathering.

Moreover, the lawmaker warned that failure to swiftly form a cabinet shall only bog the nation down in a negative phase that held negative repercussions against the Lebanese.

The parliament elected President Michel Aoun, a former general, as president last month, ending a two-and-half-year deadlock that left Lebanon without a president.

But Premier-designate Hariri is still facing obstacles bringing together a line-up that balances Lebanon's delicate sectarian-based political system.

At stake is the distribution of the most powerful portfolios, including the Defense Ministry.

The political parties are also bickering over amending the current election law which divides seats among the different religious sects. The current parliament has failed to amend the law, and has extended its mandate twice amid criticism. New elections are scheduled for May 2017.