New govt. will likely be formed in next few days

The past hours carried developments indicating that the new government will be announced in a few days, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

MTV had reported overnight that the government is expected to be formed within 48 hours following “insistence from Speaker Nabih Berri.”

“PM-designate Nawaf Salam will visit Baabda on Tuesday afternoon to meet with President Joseph Aoun, after which the government will be formed,” MTV added.

Informed sources told al-Akhbar that “what remains is a technical matter related to picking candidates for the ministerial portfolios, after agreements were reached on most of them.”

In this regard, the sources said Salam has endorsed ex-MP Yassine Jaber -- who is close to Berri -- for the finance portfolio, “especially after he communicated with the Americans, who considered him a good choice and that nothing prevents appointing him.”

“The Shiite share in the government has been settled and alongside finance it includes the labor and health portfolios,” the sources added, noting that the health portfolio might go to Dr. Ali Rabah of Hezbollah.

The environment portfolio will meanwhile go to a candidate agreed on by both Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, likely Investment Development Authority of Lebanon board member Alaa Hamieh, while Salah Osseiran, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, might be named for the industry portfolio, the sources said.

The Lebanese Forces has meanwhile nominated the head of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night-Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon, Tony al-Rami, and financial adviser Joe Saddi for services-related portfolios.

And while Salam wants to name Amer al-Bsat for the economy portfolio, he is discussing with Aoun the possibility of naming Judge Hani Helmi al-Hajjar for the interior portfolio, following a suggestion from figures close to al-Mustaqbal Movement, al-Akhbar said.

The foreign affairs portfolio will meanwhile go to Paul Salem, al-Akhbar added.

MTV reported later on Tuesday that “the government's formation might be delayed for some time after several parties, topped by the LF, objected to allocating the finance portfolio to the Shiite Duo.”