Claims about some attempts planning to “weaken” the term of President Michel Aoun by obstructing the formation of the cabinet are not accurate, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.
Free Patriotic Movement sources told the daily that reports circulating about attempts to obstruct the term of Aoun are unfounded.
The sources did not rule out the possibility for the cabinet to be formed in the few coming days, citing positive signals between Baabda and al-Rabieh.
Aoun’s election and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s designation have raised hopes that Lebanon can begin tackling challenges including a stagnant economy, a moribund political class and the influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.
However, Hariri is still facing obstacles bringing together a line-up that balances Lebanon’s delicate sectarian-based political system.
A struggle between Hariri and Aoun on one side and Speaker Nabih Berri over the government line-up. At stake is the distribution of the most powerful portfolios, including the Defense Ministry.
The political parties are also bickering over amending the current election law which divides seats among the different religious sects. The current parliament has failed to amend the law, and has extended its mandate twice amid criticism. New elections are scheduled for May 2017.
Aoun’s election as president last month ended two-and-half-year of presidential void.
