Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader, MP Saad Hariri, has approved on the 8-8-8 cabinet formula leaving now room for further details to be discussed, sources familiar with meetings that took place in Paris between the former PM and March 14 figures said.
Now that al-Mustaqbal Movement’s five questions were all answered, the sources added, discussions have gone underway within the March 14 coalition to come up with a final, unified stance. Former PM Fouad Siniora is likely to tackle details concerning the government's composition with Speaker Nabih Berri in the coming hours before he would visit the Baabda Palace for talks with President Sleiman.
Asked about the sudden shift of the March 14 alliance after it had declared its rejection to take part in any government alongside Hezbollah, the same sources noted that the coalition’s position concerning the new government hinges on two main conditions: Hezbollah’s withdrawal from Syria and commitment to the Baabda Declaration.
Sources close to President Michel Sleiman said the latter had received positive signs from Hariri on the formation of an all-embracing cabinet based on the 8-8-8 lineup and that he was now awaiting MP Fouad Siniora’s visit.
Sleiman stated, however, that if no consensus was reached over an all-embracing cabinet, other options are to be mulled including the formation of a neutral government.
Meanwhile, Al-Mustaqbal sources said the Lebanese Forces’ rejection to join an 8-8-8 lineup represents a major hurdle that would impede the formation process. On the other hand, the Lebanese Forces sources noted that the Christian party would take an “important stance” should its Sunni ally inch closer towards participating in the said cabinet.
As for Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, sources ruled out the possibility that the latter would head to Paris for talks with former PM Saad Hariri, noting however that the two men might meet on the sidelines of the opening session of the STL trial next week in Netherlands.
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