Salam Meets Suleiman in Baabda over Cabinet Lineup Draft
Prime Minister-designate Tammam on Wednesday met with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace to discuss "the latest developments in the cabinet formation process," state-run National News Agency reported.
As he entered the meeting, Salam told reporters that he would not make a statement after the talks.
Salam was expected to present his first cabinet lineup draft to Suleiman amid exerted efforts by the rival parties to form an all-embracing government.
Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) said "Salam was seen entering the Baabda Palace while carrying a gray dossier that contains lists of candidates' names."
Later on Wednesday, Salam met with caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour and discussed with him the issue of the cabinet line-up, according to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).
According to An Nahar newspaper, Salam was expected to discuss with Suleiman one or two cabinet lineup drafts before taking a final decision on Thursday.
"Salam did not carry any cabinet line-up with him to Baabda and efforts to reach a settlement are still ongoing," the Free Patriotic Movement's mouthpiece OTV reported later on Wednesday.
In remarks to LBCI television, Abu Faour said the visits he made Wednesday "have led to some new ideas," hoping FPM leader MP Michel "Aoun will accept them."
Quoting sources, MTV said "things are still complicated and unripe for the formation of an all-embracing, political government."
"Abu Faour told Salam this evening that the indications are not positive," MTV said.
"Abu Faour's visit to Ain al-Tineh did not lead to anything new amid (Speaker Nabih) Berri's rejection to give the finance portfolio to Aoun," MTV added.
Quoting informed sources, MTV said "Hizbullah has asked for more time to find solutions to the General's demands."
The government formation process has made progress with the majority of factions reaching an initial agreement over an 8-8-8 lineup that grants each of the March 8 and 14 camps and centrists eight ministers with rotating portfolios.
However, Aoun has impeded the agreement after rejecting the rotation of ministerial portfolios as he insisted on retaining the energy and telecommunications ministries.
An Nahar daily reported that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat delegated Minister Abou Faour to hold talks with several parties to discuss the cabinet formation process on Tuesday.
Abou Faour met with President Suleiman also and informed him about his talks with the rival parties.
According to As Safir newspaper, Abou Faour's exerted efforts reached a dead end.
The daily also reported that FPM's caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil held talks with Marada movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh.
Speaker Nabih Berri's adviser caretaker Health Minister Ali Hasan Khalil also contacted Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's aide Hussein Khalil and Hizbullah Liaison and Coordination Officer Wafiq Safa.
As Safir newspaper also reported that Suleiman and Salam held a meeting on Monday night at the residence of Metn MP Michel Murr in Rabieh.
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