The Kataeb Party on Monday called for “releasing the new government from captivity,” lamenting the delay that the formation process has witnessed.
“The government must be formed as soon as possible and without procrastination so that it can address the living conditions of the Lebanese and the economic, social and political issues,” Kataeb’s political bureau said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.
It also noted that “devising a new law for parliamentary elections that guarantees correct representation and prevents a return to the 1960 law should be among the new government’s priorities.”
The party also said the new cabinet must approve a new state budget.
The election of Michel Aoun as president and Saad 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.
