Jumblat Says Cabinet Formation Still at Standstill, Berri Should Solve Crisis

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has expressed pessimism over the formation of the new cabinet after the Easter holidays saying there is still disagreement on the interior ministry portfolio.

The lawmaker told An Nahar newspaper in remarks published Friday that “the cabinet formation process is still at a standstill and there’s still disagreement on who will be given the interior ministry portfolio.”

The leader of the National Struggle Front parliamentary bloc hoped that Speaker Nabih Berri’s belief that the cabinet would be formed after Easter would be materialized.

He told the daily that he tasks Berri with solving the cabinet crisis so that government institutions begin functioning again.

Jumblat also unveiled that he told former Premier Fouad Saniora that al-Mustaqbal movement should eventually meet with Shiite leaders.

An Nahar said that Jumblat would visit Damascus on Monday to hold talks with Maj. Gen. Mohammed Nassif.