Salam meets Aoun amid reports of imminent govt. formation
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam met Wednesday evening in Baabda with President Joseph Aoun, amid reports that the formation of the new cabinet has become imminent after the issue of the Lebanese Forces' share was resolved.
Speaking after the meeting, Salam said he is "working on" forming a "harmonious" and "reformist" government.
“I will not allow that it contain the possibility of its work being obstructed in any form, and to this end I have worked patiently,” Salam added.
“We need to build the state and we cannot but move forward,” Salam went on to say.
Media reports had expected that the government would be immediately announced after the Aoun-Salam meeting.
Salam’s negotiations with the LF are nearing a “happy end,” MTV reported earlier in the day.
It added that the LF’s share will consist of Youssef Rajji for foreign affairs, Joe Saddi for energy, Kamal Shehadeh for telecom and Joe Issa al-Khoury for industry.
Sky News Arabia meanwhile reported that the heath portfolio will go to Rakan Nasreddine, who is close to Hezbollah, finance will go to Yassine Jaber, who is close to the Amal Movement, defense will go to Michel Menassa and interior will go to Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Hajjar.
Informed sources had earlier told Annahar newspaper that progress was made after Salam agreed to grant the Lebanese Forces the foreign affairs portfolio in addition to three other portfolios.
“Salam will propose the matter this afternoon to President Joseph Aoun and will also brief him on the contacts regarding the portfolios that will go to the Sunni community,” the sources told Annahar newspaper on Wednesday afternoon.
“Things have made progress and might quickly reach a positive conclusion,” the sources added.
Al-Jadeed television later said that the LF will be given "foreign affairs, energy and telecom, amid negotiations over a fourth portfolio."
"Negotiations are currently underway over a candidate for the foreign affairs portfolio that the LF will present, amid ongoing negotiations over the fifth Shiite seat," Al-Jadeed added.
