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Mikati has 'vision' for new government's shape

PM-designate Najib Mikati has a vision for the shape of the new government and it will become clear very soon, informed sources said.

“Several formats are being discussed behind the scenes,” the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Tuesday.

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Bou Saab says US statement on Hochstein's talks is 'positive' sign

The U.S. State Department’s statement about U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein’s talks with Israel over sea border demarcation is a “positive” sign, Lebanon’s Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab said on Tuesday.

“We appreciate the U.S. administration’s pledge to communicate in the coming days and we hope it will lead to the resumption of the indirect negotiations in Naqoura,” Bou Saab added.

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Bassil says govt. participation hinges on line-up, program; urges portfolio rotation

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil announced Tuesday that the FPM’s participation in the new government would depend on its line-up and program, as he called for a “comprehensive or partial rotation of ministerial portfolios.”

“We wished the PM-designate success and stressed to him that we want a speedy government formation,” Bassil said after meeting PM-designate Najib Mikati along with the Strong Lebanon bloc, as part of the non-binding consultations to form a new government.

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Mikati hopes 'national interest' will triumph in govt. formation process

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Tuesday hoped that the “national interest” will “triumph over everything,” following the two-day, non-binding consultations that he held with MPs over the shape and program of the government that he intends to form.

“I listened to the MPs and explored their opinions and we’ll take a large part of what they said into consideration,” Mikati said at a brief press conference that followed the consultations.

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Kataeb urges govt. within 2 weeks as Franjieh calls on FPM to cede energy portfolio

The Kataeb parliamentary bloc on Monday called on PM-designate Najib Mikati to “submit his government line-up within two weeks,” as MP Tony Franjieh of the Independent National bloc called on the Free Patriotic Movement to allow another party to be in charge of the energy ministerial portfolio.

“Waiting would be a collective crime committed by the political parties against the people… and the PM-designate must submit his government line-up within two weeks,” Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel said after meeting Mikati during the non-binding consultations.

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PSP to 'help' form govt. without joining as change MPs urge 'salvation govt.'

The Progressive Socialist Party-led Democratic Gathering bloc announced Monday that it “will not take part” in the new government but will rather “help in forming” it.

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LF bloc says won't join new govt., urges swift election of president

The Lebanese Forces-led Strong Republic bloc announced Monday that it will not take part in the new government that the PM-designate Najib Mikati intends to form.

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Bou Saab says any govt. of specialists must be named by politicians

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab said Monday that the new government “can consist of specialists,” but that “they should be named by politicians.”

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Bassil: Audit won't die as long as President is behind it

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil stressed Monday that the forensic audit into the central bank’s accounts “will not die.”

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Mikati begins non-binding govt. consultations with MPs

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati kicked off Monday his non-binding consultations with the parliamentary blocs over the shape of the new government.

Mikati began the two-day consultations by meeting Speaker Nabih Berri in parliament. He later met with Berri's Development and Liberation bloc.

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