No Cabinet before Syrian-Saudi Summit
As France seemed to be pushing forward toward the issue on government formation, Saudi and Syrian influence over Lebanon also was back on track with reports that no Cabinet deal would be reached before a Syrian-Saudi summit.
While An-Nahar newspaper quoted an Opposition source as ruling out any progress toward a Cabinet lineup before Saudi King Abdullaha”s visit to Damascus on Tuesday, pan-Arab daily al-Hayat, citing well-informed sources, said no new government is likely to be announced before mid next week.
Senior Opposition figures, however, told al-Hayat that the government formation process would take "a week or so" since talks between PM-designate Saad Hariri and heads of the parliamentary bloc require extra efforts to ensure an agreement.
They said information available to them pointed out that Hariri”s visit to Damascus during the Syrian-Saudi summit is unlikely, a sign that the premier-designate”s trip to Syria would take place after government formation based on a formula that would enjoy the blessing of Syria.
Opposition sources told an-Nahar that no new date, at least not over the weekend, has yet been set for talks between Hariri and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.
Meanwhile, Elysee Secretary-General Claude Gueant is expected to visit Damascus on Sunday on a mission linked to Cabinet formation as well as to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem”s stay in Paris.
Diplomatic sources have said that Gueant”s mission to Syria would tackle among other topics, the outcome of contacts between Syrian officials and Lebanese leaders. They said Gueant would also urge Damascus to facilitate a Cabinet lineup no longer than 10 days.
On Saturday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy”s top advisor Henry Guaino brought to Lebanon a message of friendship and support for the country.
Guaino told MTV that the "problem is not just Lebanon”s current situation but that of the Middle East as a whole."