Hariri Meets Aoun, Vows to Maintain Good Ties with Berri

Lebanon's new Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaks to journalists following his nomination at the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut, on November 3, 2016. Hariri was nominated to form a cabinet by his one-time political adversary, President Michel Aoun, who took office this week after receiving the surprise support of his old foe. / AFP PHOTO / ANWAR AMRO

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri held consultations Monday with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace after which he pledged to maintain good ties with Speaker Nabih Berri.

“There are some obstacles in the cabinet formation process but we will try to resolve them,” Hariri said after the talks.

He also noted that Aoun is keen on the country’s economy.

Aoun’s election and Hariri’s appointment as premier-designate 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.

In a sign that Hariri’s mission as premier might not be easy, Hizbullah’s MPs declined to endorse him during binding parliamentary consultations.

Hariri and Aoun are still struggling to put together a new cabinet amid conflicting demands from the political forces that are seeking to join the unity government.

Horsetrading is still revolving around the so-called services-related ministerial portfolios, mainly public works and telecommunications.