Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced Wednesday that “clear complications” are still delaying the formation of the new government.

“I was hoping to have a government before the holidays but there are still clear complications,” Hariri told reporters after holding talks with President Michel Aoun in Baabda -- their second meeting in two days.

Lebanese Army chief, General Joseph Aoun, welcomed at his Yarze office on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff of the French Armies General François Lecointre leading a delegation, the National News Agency reported.

Head of the Lebanese Democratic Party on Wednesday expressed dismay at the chances that a new government could be formed of 18 ministerial seats instead of 20, which would grant the Druze community one seat instead of two.

“We heard yesterday there is a progress in the formation (of a government) which has become a necessary need for the Lebanese in these exceptional circumstances the country is passing through,” said Arslan in a tweet.

Lebanon announced plans to resume contacts with Alvarez and Marsal consultancy firm to conduct forensic audit into the state’s accounts, after a bill passed in Parliament approving the lifting of banking secrecy.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and President Michel Aoun held their 13th meeting on the government formation, after which the PM reflected “positive” atmospheres, vowing to form a government before Christmas, the Saudi Asharq el-Awsat reported on Wednesday.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc on Tuesday reiterated its call for “unified standards” in the cabinet formation process, shortly after a meeting between President Michel Aoun and PM-designate Saad Hariri.

In a statement issued after its weekly electronic meeting, chaired by FPM chief Jebran Bassil, the bloc hoped Aoun and Hariri will reach “a common approach as quick as possible.”

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri held an important meeting with President Michel Aoun on Tuesday at the presidential palace.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hariri said the talks were “positive.”

The United States “remains ready to mediate constructive negotiations” between the Israeli and Lebanese governments on their maritime boundary, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday.

A “pivotal” meeting is expected on Tuesday between President Michel Aoun and PM-designate Saad Hariri on a cabinet formation, their thirteenth since the designation of the PM, media reports said.

Director general of the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Firas Abiad, said Tuesday the responsibility to prevent the spread of coronavirus mainly lies on “individuals and sectors," noting that most infections are among the youth who spread it to the elderly.