Abou Faour Calls on Rival Parties to Swiftly Agree on Cabinet Lineup

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour said on Friday that the cabinet formation awaits a political decision by the March 14 and 8 alliances after the theoretical discussions ended.

The Progressive Socialist Party's minister said urged the rival parties in comments published in As Safir newspaper to swiftly agree on the new cabinet's lineup and overcome the remaining obstacles.

Abou Faour pointed out that MP Walid Jumblat is still exerting efforts to reach a result that satisfies all parties as the impeding security risks must arouse the political foes to for a new government.

Abou Faour, on behalf of Jumblat, stepped up consultation with rival parties recently over the cabinet formation.

Baabda Palace sources pointed out that President Michel Suleiman is optimistic that the cabinet will be formed soon.

“I hope that the (formation of the cabinet) happens soon amid the positive atmosphere in the country,” the sources quoted Suleiman as saying.

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 Speaker Nabih 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.