Miqati Denies he Would Visit Damascus Over Cabinet Formation

Premier-designate Najib Miqati’s press office denied a media report that Miqati was planning to visit Damascus on Tuesday for talks with the Syrian leadership on the formation of the Lebanese cabinet.

“This report is not true because PM-designate Miqati will not make any visit abroad before forming the government,” his press office said in a statement.

The denial came after Ad-Diyar newspaper said that Miqati would head to Syria on Tuesday to consult with the Syrian leadership on the shape of the cabinet.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel said Monday that the March 14 forces would not join Lebanon's next cabinet, accusing Hizbullah of seeking to unilaterally control the new government.