Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat slammed on Monday the criticism directed against him by some members of the March 8 camp, saying that he will not get embroiled in “pointless debates” with them over the formation of a new government.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anba website: “The cabinet that grants eight ministers to the March 8, March 14, and centrist blocs offers the best representation and avoids schemes to obstruct political life in Lebanon.”

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour stressed on Monday that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat is keen on maintaining contacts aimed at forming a new government.

He said after meeting Speaker Nabih Berri: “Jumblat is keen on maintaining consultations with Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, President Michel Suleiman, and all sides to reach an agreement over a new government, which will help avert numerous repercussions.”

The Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance could “resort to the street” on Monday to send a clear message to Premier-designate Tammam Salam that he would be taking a dangerous road in announcing a de facto cabinet, An Nahar daily reported.

The newspaper, which did not provide further details and did not rely on sources, said that Salam would most likely announce his line-up on Tuesday.

Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Monday of the announcement of a de facto government ahead of the scheduled parliamentary session, pointing out that he aims at reaching consensus with the different parliamentary blocs and ending confrontation over the new electoral law.

“The announcement of a de facto cabinet ahead of Wednesday's parliamentary session will have negative repercussions on it and will end the possibility of reaching consensus over a new electoral law,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam reiterated on Sunday that he is seeking to form a cabinet of national interest.

He also refused to set a date to announce the new government.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat held talks on Saturday with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

They addressed efforts to form a new government and reach an agreement on a new parliamentary electoral law, announced Hariri's media office in a statement on Sunday.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is planning to form a 14-member cabinet to avoid the demands of the March 8 alliance to get a veto power in a government made up of 24 ministers, local dailies reported on Saturday.

An Nahar daily quoted sources following up Salam's consultations with the country's major parties as saying that the talks left him with limited choices, including the 14-member cabinet that should be dubbed as a “public opinion” government.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is seeking to form a cabinet that doesn't include the March 8 alliance, media reports said on Friday.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, consultations with the March 8 coalition failed to reach any fruitful results as both sides are holding on to their stances.

The new cabinet is not likely to witness light before mid-May over the insistence of Shiite leaderships to name the sect's ministers in addition to another request for veto power by the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

According to An Nahar, the coalition has conditioned a 45 percent of seats in the government similar to its weight in parliament and has rejected the rotation of portfolios that Premier-designate Tammam Salam had suggested.

Beirut Maronite Bishop Boulos Matar has been tasked by Bkirki to promote a hybrid electoral plan that was previously proposed by President Michel Suleiman, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday despite the clergyman's denial.

An Nahar said that the proposal allows 68 candidates to be elected under the winner-takes-all system in 26 electoral districts and 60 via proportional representation in 11 districts.