Mustaqbal Stresses Importance of 'Facilitating PM-Designate's Mission'

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday called on the political parties to facilitate the formation of the new government, warning that any further delay would impede the momentum that started after the election of President Michel Aoun.

In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, the bloc called for “facilitating the mission of the premier-designate” so that the new government can start “addressing the country's affairs, especially amid the tense and deteriorating situations in the region.”

It also warned that procrastination in forming the government would prevent a “strong start” for the new presidential tenure.

Aoun's election as president and Hariri's appointment as premier-designate have raised hopes that Lebanon can begin tackling challenges including a stagnant economy, a moribund political class and the influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.

But Aoun and Hariri are still struggling to put together a new cabinet amid conflicting demands from the political forces that are seeking to join the unity government.

Horsetrading is still revolving around the so-called services-related ministerial portfolios, mainly public works and telecommunications.

Speaker Nabih Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, is clinging to the finance and public works portfolios while also insisting that the Marada Movement must get a key portfolio.