The nomination of Marwan Kheireddine to replace Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan in the cabinet is facing obstacles after some parties objected the nomination unless Kheireddine vows not to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The pan-Arab newspaper al-Hayat reported on Saturday that Kheireddine’s uncle MP Anwar Khalil, who is a Free Patriotic Movement ally, objects naming him as state minister unless he guarantees not to announce his candidacy for the Druze seat in Hasbaya-Marjayoun in the next parliamentary elections.

Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday held talks with Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan, who has resigned from Premier Najib Miqati’s cabinet to protest the ministry of state allotted to him.

Arslan, who was conditioning his particiatpin in the government on getting a portfolio, announced his resignation a few hours after the cabinet formation decree was issued last week.

Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan’s resignation dispute after the formation of the government is likely to end through the nomination of his brother-in-law Marwan Kheireddine to replace him, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Monday.

Sources told the newspaper “since the portfolios have been occupied and there’s no chance to replace any minister after being done with the handover ceremonies in all ministries,” Kheireddine is likely to replace Arslan as minister of state.

Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan remained mum on Sunday on whether he would grant his vote of confidence to the new cabinet after he resigned from the government the day it was formed.

Arslan is considering the nomination of his brother-in-law Marwan Kheireddine to replace him as minister of state. The MP resigned last Monday hours after the cabinet was announced, accusing Premier Najib Miqati of discriminating against the Druze community and other minority groups.

Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan rejects to return to Premier Najib Miqati’s cabinet and is considering the nomination of his relative Marwan Kheireddine to replace him as state minister, sources close to the MP said.

An Nahar daily reported Thursday that Druze leader Walid Jumblat and Miqati discussed the issue during a meeting they held the day before. Efforts are underway to convince him not to give up his post and that he apologizes from Miqati over his remarks.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Wednesday described the new government as a “broad national coalition,” stressing that “it was not imposed by outside forces as some have claimed” and that it is not “one-sided.”

Following talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati in Beirut’s Verdun district, Jumblat added: “The atmospheres are excellent despite the delay in forming the cabinet … Each of us has made sacrifices, each in his own way.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated on Wednesday that the new government is reminiscent of the period of Syrian hegemony over Lebanon, saying that at a time when people are revolting against oppressive regimes, Lebanon has become directly linked to one of them.

He said during a press conference: “The new government has gone against the tide of these revolts, and six years after the Cedar revolution, the cabinet came to remind us of the time of hegemony in the worst possible way.”

Lebanese Democratic Party leader State Minister and MP Talal Arslan announced on Monday his resignation from the newly-formed government whose lineup was revealed earlier in the day.

He said during a press conference: “In line with my convictions, I announce before the Lebanese people my resignation from the government of the so-called Premier Najib Miqati whom I am not honored to be seated next to.”

The final hours before announcing the long-awaited cabinet line-up witnessed intense contacts and a surprise meeting at the Baabda Palace between President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

After 30 minutes, Speaker Nabih Berri joined the meeting after he was invited “urgently and without previous notice,” Al-Manar television reported.

Sources close to President Michel Suleiman ruled out on Sunday the formation of the new cabinet in the next few days as Premier-designate Najib Miqati’s sources said he hasn’t yet received the names of the candidates of the Free Patriotic Movement and Hizbullah.

The Baabda palace sources told Ad-Diyar daily that Miqati was still seeking to remove the obstacles hindering the formation of the cabinet.