The cabinet formation file entered its final week, a senior political leader said, as the government must be formed before next week when Lebanon enters the 60-day constitutional deadline for the election of a new president.
Failure to form the government before then, the current caretaker government will continue to govern the country.
A meeting was reportedly held between President Michel Aoun and PM-designate Najib Mikati on Wednesday morning, followed by overnight talks between Baabda and the Serail through mediators.
However, according to sources of al-Joumhouria, no decisive result came out until a late hour overnight due to both Aoun and Mikati insisting “on two conflicting visions.”
“The president is still insisting on enlarging the cabinet by adding six state ministers to it,” the sources reportedly said, while Mikati insists on refusing the enlargement proposal because it “might open the door” to demands of changes by other leaders.
According to Al-Joumhouria, ex-MP Yassine Jaber might replace caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil and Hezbollah does not want to replace its two ministers – Ali Hamieh and Mustafa Bayram.
Related:
Lebanese Politicians Tackling Solutions In Case Of A Presidential Vacancy.
Presidential Vacancy In Lebanon Is A Great Possibility Amid Struggle To Form A New Government.
