Hariri-Bassil Meeting Wednesday to Discuss Delays in Cabinet Formation
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri will meet Telecommunications Minister Jebran Bassil on Wednesday to discuss obstacles facing a Cabinet lineup.
Bassil was assigned by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to talks with Hariri during his absence abroad.
Hariri and Aoun met at Baabda Palace on Monday in the first direct meeting between the two sides and both men pledged to continue talks despite the "many difficulties."
Both leaders emerged from the 80-minute meeting saying talks will continue despite the many difficulties.
The daily As-Safir said Wednesday”s talks will focus on two proposals for a new government – sovereign ministers and a Cabinet of political leaders.
Hariri”s office on Tuesday, however, denied reports published by As-Safir and Al-Akhbar that the premier-designate had made new offers to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.
As-Safir said Wednesday Hariri is expected to share his views with Bassil regarding the new proposals for a Cabinet lineup.
Al-Liwaa newspaper, for its part, said Bassil”s visit to Qoreitem is a to follow up on ideas for a Cabinet makeup discussed by Hariri and Aoun is Baabda.