Miqati Focuses his Contacts towards March 14: 24-Minister Cabinet Will be Formed before February 20
Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati stressed that he is maintaining his consultations in order to end disputes regarding the formation of a new government, adding that he will not commit to a certain deadline or a specific number of ministers in the new Cabinet.
He told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Sunday: "At the end of the day, the main concern is establishing a government that ensures the people's trust and we will announce it once it is ready."
"It's no secret that contacts are now focusing on the March 14 camp and there is so far no final word on the matter," he continued.
Sources close to the premier-designate told As Safir Sunday that the government is likely to start taking shape next week, adding that should a 30-minister national unity government fail to be established, then a 24- or 20-minister one is likely to be formed instead.
The resumption of talks on the distribution of portfolios will take place as soon as Miqati receives a reply from Caretaker Labor Minister Butros Harb on the last proposal he offered the Christians in the March 14 coalition, they said.
The formation of the government will enter a decisive phase once he receives the answer and the new Cabinet will likely be established before February 20.
On Friday, Miqati had reportedly made the March 14 alliance a "tempting" offer to join the new government during a meeting with Harb.
As Safir added that a number of contacts had taken place away from the media spotlight between various political powers that had failed to achieve a breakthrough in the march 14 Christians' participation in Cabinet.
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