President Michel Aoun accompanied with outgoing Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil met with Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi at Bkirki on Thursday.

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.

Financial General Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim referred detainee and top cellphone dealer Kamel Amhaz and two airport security personnel to First Military Investigative Judge Riad Abou Ghaida, LBCI reported on Thursday.

The defense ministry will not be allotted to the Lebanese Forces in the new cabinet line-up because of the party's political project which reports said it “contradicts the combat doctrine of the Lebanese army,” media reports said Thursday.

The LF will not be given one of the so-called sovereign portfolios in the new government, mainly the defense ministry, as long as the party carries a political project that deviates from the army's combat doctrine, said al-Akhbar daily.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri held talks Wednesday evening at the Baabda Palace with President Michel Aoun.

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed optimism Wednesday that the line-up of the new Cabinet will be announced soon as some political parties declared that the government might be formed “within 48 or 72 hours.”

Nicolas Sarkozy's links with the late Moammar Gadhafi came under fresh scrutiny Tuesday after a businessman admitted delivering three cash-stuffed suitcases from the Libyan leader toward the Frenchman's first presidential bid.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks Wednesday with President Michel Aoun and other senior Lebanese leaders.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea affirmed good relations with the Kataeb party in a telephone conversation with ex-President Amin Gemeyal after some recent tension in ties over a statement made by leader of the Kataeb Sami Gemayel.

Geagea hailed Gemayel's rhetoric after his meeting with newly-elected President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace, the LF chief said: “Normal relations between the LF and Kataeb is a norm while conflict is an exception.”

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh insists to be given a key services-related portfolio in the upcoming new government and demands to either be given the telecommunications or energy ministry, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.

Reports added that Franjieh has rejected suggestions to allot him one of two ministries, the education or health.