A suggestion reportedly made by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil to expand the number of ministerial seats in the new government from 30 to 32, “has not been turned down” by any political party, al-Akhbar daily reported on Monday.

Quoting sources of the Free Patriotic Movement of Bassil who told the daily that “the political parties have requested some time to study the proposal,” noting that no rejections were voiced by any.

The so-called Independent Sunni MPs of the Consultative Gathering refuted allegations on Saturday claiming initiatives have been made heralding a near solution to the Sunni MPs hurdle, LBCI reported on Saturday.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri prepares to kick off visits to Paris and London early in December to discuss suggestions on “how to invest in Lebanon through the CEDRE support conference,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

A solution for the government impasse has reportedly been made by one of Lebanon’s former prime ministers who suggested the formation of a 14-minister “technocrat” government instead of 30, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

Four “dangerous” suspects were killed and several others were apprehended during army raids in the Baalbek towns of Hay al-Sharawneh and Haouch Tall Safyieh on Friday.

In light of a delayed government formation, caretaker Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil denied media claims that wages for civil servants and retirees were unavailable, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Although Hizbullah insists on the representation of Sunni MPs of March 8 in the government, it reportedly has no objection to naming a figure from outside the Consultative Gathering provided the six MPs accept this solution, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

President Michel Aoun chaired a meeting with the Higher Defense Council at Baabda Palace on Wednesday, the National News Agency reported.

Radio One Lebanon’s renowned host Gavin Ford was found dead Tuesday inside his apartment in Beit Mery.

Citing preliminary investigation revelations, LBCI television said the British radio host was “murdered.”

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Tuesday held government talks with Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain el-Tineh, and assured in statements after that a government can only be formed through “mutual acceptance” between political parties.

“A government can only be formed through mutual acceptance. It can not be formed through imposition or rejection,” Bassil told reporters after the meeting, noting he made “three suggestions” that could help ease the so-called Independent Sunni MPs representation hurdle.