Salam may 'impose' line-up, govt. may be formed 'Thursday'
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam intends to “impose a de facto cabinet line-up” that he sees as appropriate following his consultations with the political forces, sources informed on the negotiations said, in remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper.
“He carried to Baabda (on Tuesday) a line-up devised by him which reportedly does not meet the demands of all the forces that he spoke with,” the daily quoted “prominent sources” as saying.
“Salam is saying that street activists are asking him not to bow to the demands of the political class, amid calls around him to resist the demands of the Hebzollah and Amal Movement duo and not to fall captive to the Christian forces, especially the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement,” al-Akhbar said.
President Joseph Aoun is meanwhile pressing for the formation of the new government as soon as possible, the daily added.
“While there are reports that a commitment has been given to foreign powers finalize the matter before January 27, the date of the expiry of the 60-day deadline for the implementation of the ceasefire in the south, sources have said that it is possible to issue the formation tomorrow, prior to the arrival in Lebanon of the Saudi and Kuwaiti foreign ministers on two separate visits,” al-Akhbar said.
“President Aoun will receive an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, and he intends to meet the invitation after the formation of the government,” the newspaper added.
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