Positive Atmosphere ahead of Government Formation, Speaker Election
Consultations within the majority March 14 forces continued over the weekend, mainly focusing on re-electing Nabih Berri as speaker of parliament and prospects for a new government.
The daily An Nahar said Monday that political leaders are expected to discuss details regarding these two major events in the coming few days.
It did not rule out that consultations will soon include Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun who had suggested proportional representation in the new Cabinet and Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh who said without veto power the opposition will not join the government.
As Safir newspaper, for its part, said MP Saad Hariri and Hizbullah have agreed in an indirect way to avoid the press regarding issues related to the new government and Hizbullah arms.
It said various approaches to the formation of a new government were being developed.
One of the formulas suggested, according to As Safir, is to give the President the shares allocated to the government "since he cannot remain without an effective role."
As Safir quoted a senior opposition leader as saying that in the event it was not possible for the March 8 coalition to obtain veto power, then among the formulas that could be acceptable to the opposition is to give the President the shares allocated to the Cabinet "since he cannot remain without an effective role."