Report: Suleiman to Study with Salam 3 Govt. Formulas next Week

President Michel Suleiman is expected to hold talks on the government formation process with Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam upon his return to Lebanon next week, reported al-Liwaa newspaper Saturday.

Informed sources told the daily that the president is set to propose to Salam three government formulas to study.

The meeting is expected to be held on Wednesday or Thursday after Suleiman returns from a visit to the Vatican where he congratulated Pope Francis I on his election.

The first government formula, which has been almost accepted by the rival March 8 and 14 camps, calls for the equal distribution of portfolios among the two blocs and centrists, whereby each would be represented by eight ministers.

The centrists represent Suleiman and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

The second formula calls for the formation of a 14-minister cabinet, while the third calls for granting the March 14 camp eight ministers, seven to the March 8 alliance, and nine to the centrists.

Discussions were previously held over these two proposals, but they have been rejected, sources told al-Liwaa.

Meanwhile, March 8 sources told An Nahar daily Saturday that the upcoming two weeks will be decisive in reaching an agreement over a new government and parliamentary electoral law.

Salam's sources also told As Safir newspaper that he is still adamant in his refusal to grant a blocking minority to any political bloc in the new cabinet.

Media reports said Friday that the Mach 8 camp is seeking this veto power in the new cabinet.

The premier-designate has said that a government with such a bloc will not be productive.

He is seeking to form a 24-minister cabinet that distributes portfolios equally between the centrists, March 8 and 14 forces.

Salam has repeatedly stated that he wants to form a cabinet of national interests capable of staging the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for June 16.

The March 8 camp has demanded the formation of a political government, while the March 14 camp has called for forming a neutral cabinet whose members will not run in the elections.

Jumblat has meanwhile said that he opposes the establishment of a one-sided government.