Reports: Optimism on Cabinet Formation is March 8 Tactic to Achieve Political Gains

The optimism expressed by the March 8 forces about the possible formation of the new cabinet in next few days is exaggerated and is a tactic aimed at achieving political gains, a centrist politician told al-Liwaa daily.

The source said in remarks published Friday that Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and his ally Hizbullah believe that the delay in the formation of the government was weakening them and strengthening Premier-designate Najib Miqati.

Given such belief, they have decided to either resort to the quick formation of the government to pay lower prices than they would in the coming weeks or months or throw the failure to form the cabinet in the court of Miqati and President Michel Suleiman, the official told al-Liwaa.

The reported optimism “is a tactic aimed at achieving political gains rather than a political progress” in the formation of the new government, he said.

An Nahar newspaper confirmed that the optimism expressed by March 8 officials “was not on the right track.”

The government “is not expected to be formed before next Monday if things moved forward without additional obstacles,” it said.