Visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani announced Wednesday that his country is “very confident” that a “strong government” will be formed in Lebanon, as Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said the latest visits by Gulf officials reflect the Gulf countries' “openness” to restoring good ties with Lebanon.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Wednesday discussed the issue of equipping the army and cooperation in the oil and gas sector with his visiting Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil announced Wednesday that all parties can be represented in a 24-member cabinet, noting that only “minor details” are still delaying the line-up.

After dignitaries from Baalbek and Hermel discussed the security situation and the issue of blood feuds with Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on October 29, a reconciliation committee has started implementing the recommendations of the conference, a Hizbullah statement said on Wednesday.

“The reconciliation committee formed during this conference has started implementing Sayyed Nasrallah's recommendations on the ground,” Wednesday's statement said.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani held talks Wednesday in Baabda with President Michel Aoun as part of an official visit to Lebanon.

Speaker Nabih Berri said after the weekly Wednesday meeting with MPs that he is optimistic as for the efforts to line-up the cabinet, and emphasized that he insists to be given the public works ministerial portfolio.

“We expect minor problems hindering the formation to be eased. Efforts are ongoing to solve them and form a government in order to stipulate a new electoral law,” Berri remarked.

Lebanese Forces party MP Antoine Zahra stressed on Wednesday that the party's share in the government is a right of theirs as he stressed that they have no problem with Speaker Nabih Berri, the National News Agency reported.

“Our share in the government is a total right for us,” emphasized Zahra.

Al-Mustaqbal MP Ammar Houri confirmed on Wednesday that the consecutive visits of the Saudi and Qatari officials to Lebanon would re-activate confidence in Lebanon and open once closed doors due to “improvised policies.”

The lawmaker pointed out in an interview to VDL (100.5) that President Michel Aoun's oath of office had focused on the constants and reassembled the Lebanese approaches, stressing that “commitment to it falls in Lebanon's interest,” and helps it to “kind of dissociate itself from the burning region.”

MP Jean Oghassapian said Wednesday that not all political parties were content with the understanding reached between the two Christian parties, Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement, which explains the reactions of some, including Speaker Nabih Berri's.

The MP said the hurdles hampering the distribution of ministerial portfolios and the reactions of Speaker Nabih Berri could be the result of “susceptibility” generated after the Christian understanding.

Closed meetings held between Lebanon's top officials at the sideline of the presidential reception at the Baabda Palace on Independence Day, generated positive signals that the diplomats have finally eased the difficulties that have been hampering the formation of a new cabinet.

Before the reception to receive well-wishers began, a meeting was held between President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri. Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri later joined the two men, to be followed shortly by Caretaker PM Tammam Salam.