Hariri Returns to Beirut amid Renewed Political Bickering over Cabinet Formation
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri returned to Beirut early Monday as political wrangling continued to hold up a Cabinet lineup following the emergence of two different political outlooks.
The first outlook was reflected in the ruling majority statements calling for reconsidering the 15-10-5 formula in the wake of Druze leader Walid Jumblat”s political shift, while the second was expressed by the Opposition which gave PM-designate Saad Hariri a 48-ultimatum before which he must either form a government or quit.
The daily Al-Akhbar on Monday said the Opposition was geared up for a face-off with Hariri if he is not back from a family holiday within 48 hours. But Hariri returned home early Monday from a weeklong vacation with the family in southern France.
Al-Akhbar said Opposition sources gave Hariri one week to form a new Cabinet or face "a variety of crises" within the majority March 14 forces.
The source said a technocrat government was "out of the question," stressing that major political decisions are taken by a national unity government.
As-Safir, citing sources, said Hariri is likely to return to Beirut on Monday after stopping in Morocco on his way back for talks with King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz.
Ad-Diyar newspaper, however, said Hariri returned to Beirut overnight.
Mustaqbal Movement sources told As-Safir that Hariri was still working within the "grace period," pointing that in 1969 the late Premier Rashid Karami waited nine months before a government was established.
The sources believed the 15-10-5 formula needs to be reconsidered following Jumblat”s announcement that he was terminating his alliance with March 14 forces.
Meanwhile, sources close to the March 14 alliance told An Nahar newspaper that no final decision has been reached on a Cabinet lineup.
They said the decision awaits Hariri”s return to Beirut.
High-ranking sources within the Progressive Socialist Party ruled out that Jumblat”s positions would have an impact on the agreed government formula (15-10-5).