Government Formation Awaits Suleiman”s Return from Spain
A wind of optimism is blowing on Lebanon following positive statements by the president, the speaker and the prime minister-designate on cabinet formation.
Media reports said Sunday that the government could be formed after President Michel Suleiman”s return from Spain on Wednesday.
An Nahar daily said that the positive stances of Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and PM-designate Saad Hariri on Saturday were a sign that the cabinet could be formed soon.
Baabda circles quoted Suleiman as saying following his meeting with Hariri on Saturday that "the atmosphere is better. It is good and positive."
Opposition sources also described the atmosphere as positive and told An Nahar that the approach to deal with obstacles is being taken "with a positive spirit from both sides."
The sources, however, insisted that discussion is still underway between the two sides to find a solution that satisfies everyone.
Al-Balad newspaper said Hariri is now dealing with the details and portfolios of the cabinet lineup and that negotiations with the opposition are on a basket of proposals and not each portfolio on its own.
Pan-Arab daily al-Hayat, meanwhile, quoted diplomatic circles in Beirut as saying that the Syrian leadership informed Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who visited Damascus last Thursday, that it expected the Lebanese government to be formed within 10 days.