Suleiman to Agree on Any Cabinet Formula, Insists on Forming it ahead of Independence Day

Endeavors are ongoing to end the cabinet deadlock amid reports that President Michel Suleiman insists on forming it ahead of the Independence Day on November 22 based on any distribution of portfolios as long as the rival parties agree.

Sources close to Suleiman said in comments published in al-Liwaa newspaper that he is “seriously thinking” to issue new cabinet decrees ahead of the Independence day in accordance with Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.

“Contacts have come a long way,” the sources said.

Suleiman will approve any cabinet formula that the rival political parties agree on even if it was divided according to 6-9-9 cabinet formula.

Sources close to Salam told al-Liwaa that he will not resign as he is holding on to his decision and exerting efforts to form the cabinet ahead of the independence day.

“Salam is keen to reach a settlement with the foes,” the sources added.

On Tuesday, Suleiman's adviser, former Minister Khalil al-Hrawi, called on the Lebanese parties to support Salam's endeavors to form a new government.

Salam continuously said that conditions and counter-conditions set by the rival sides have brought his efforts to form a cabinet to a stalemate.

Since his appointment to form a cabinet in April, Salam has been seeking the formation of a 24-member cabinet in which the March 8, March 14 and centrists camps would each get eight ministers.

However, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah expressed support to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat's proposal to form a new cabinet in which the March 8 and 14 alliances would get nine ministers each and six ministers would be given to the centrists – Suleiman, Salam and Jumblat.

This formula prevents a certain party from controlling the government by giving veto power to Hizbullah and its team and another veto power to March 14, he said.