Govt. formation negotiations: Latest developments

The formation of the new government is stuck at the issue of the finance portfolio and the “fifth Shiite minister,” Al-Jadeed TV quoted “presidential” sources as saying on Wednesday.

“Negotiations with the Free Patriotic Movement are revolving around four portfolios: education, telecommunications, social affairs and information. The portfolios are supposed to be allotted to specialists and FPM sources are saying that things are still deadlocked over several points,” Al-Jadeed said.

Sources close to PM-designate Nawaf Salam meanwhile told MTV that he is keen on the relation with the Lebanese Forces and on communicating with it, adding that “what’s needed today is for the Amal-Hezbollah duo to accept a Shiite candidate not belonging to them for the finance portfolio.”

“What’s needed today is a government that is capable of dealing with the new U.S. administration,” the sources added.

MTV added that Salam is expected to visit President Joseph Aoun in the afternoon and that “the government formation process returned to square one, amid the Amal-Hezbollah duo insistence on the finance portfolio and on obtaining a one-third-plus-one veto power.”

Moreover, the TV network said “Salam will meet with MP Faisal Karami soon,” adding that “the Sunni hurdle has been resolved” and that “Salam told the Moderation bloc MPs that the north and Akkar will be represented in the government.”