President Calls on Political Foes to Bridge Gap, Overcome Details

President Michel Suleiman called on Monday on the political foes to bridge the gap and seek the formation of an all-embracing cabinet by passing over the details.

“We must not let the social situation in the country deteriorate further or allow the diminution of the role of the state institutions,” Suleiman stressed.

He urged the rival parties to compromise in order to achieve the nation's higher interest, pointing out that “those who are obstructing the ongoing endeavors to form a cabinet must be held accountable for any failure.”

Suleiman warned that “those who assume that they are stronger than the state as its power and its dialectics will remain the safe haven for everyone.”

The government formation process has witnessed an intensified a political activity in an attempt to end the standstill since Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April.

The cabinet formation process was put on the front burner after Berri proposed a revised 8-8-8 government formula and Suleiman said he would form a so-called neutral cabinet if the political rivals don't agree on an all-embracing government within ten days.

Amid the Lebanese Forces' rejection of Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet, the March 14 camp has reportedly accepted the 8-8-8 formula in principle, but it is awaiting answers pertaining to the ministerial policy statement and the rotation of portfolios among political parties.

The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists and March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.