Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is expected to begin, Monday the one-day unbinding consultations with the parliamentary blocs and deputies at the parliament in Nejmeh Square, in a bid to form the new government.
Media reports said the various political parties are eager for an “expedited” formation of a “national unity government” able of confronting the “danger facing Lebanon's economic and financial system,” al-Joumhouria daily reported.
Although political parties have reportedly shown eagerness to facilitate the formation process, but they have also reflected their demands regarding portfolios and shares in the new Cabinet.
The Progressive Socialist Party (of Walid Jumblat) is demanding the allocation of all three Druze
Seats to the PSP, keeping the Lebanese Democratic Party head MP Talal Arslan out of the government.
The PSP argue that they have kept a place for Arslan on their electoral list during the parliamentary elections, but he chose instead to strike an alliance with the Free Patriotic Movement.
Another obstacle that could be facing the formation is the dispute between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces over the Christian shares and portfolios.
Furthermore, the daily said, Hariri “will not enter into details during his consultations so as not to commit himself to anything in advance, but rather to listen more than to talk.”
Meanwhile “a kind of resentment is lingering among Sunni circles because of attempts made by Shiite and Christian parties to control the role of the PM-designate. Circles close to Hariri have advised him to draw clear lines for his jurisdictions, mainly that the Sunni situation bears no more jabs particularly after the outcome of the parliamentary election,” according to the daily.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
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