Can Bilateral Talks Break Standstill?
Meetings between Lebanese politicians have intensified in an effort to accelerate the formation of the new cabinet.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri held talks with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat late Wednesday. The two leaders agreed on the need to speed up efforts aimed at forming the new government.
The state-run National News Agency said Jumblat visited Berri at his Ain el-Tineh residence and the two agreed that forming the new cabinet would "consolidate security."
The two also reaffirmed their commitment to the path outlined by the Doha agreement, NNA added.
Meanwhile, several Beirut dailies on Thursday reported more bilateral meetings between the various political parties.
They said Prime Minister-designate Fouad Saniora has dispatched an envoy to meet with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who insists he wants the finance ministry.
Sources said there were signs of a breakthrough in the talks between Aoun and envoy Mohammed Shatah.
A separate meeting also took place late Wednesday between MP Saad Hariri and an envoy dispatched by Berri.
No statements were made following the talks between Hariri and Berri”s envoy Ali Hassan Khalil.