The Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc criticized, in a statement following its periodic meeting headed by MP Gebran Bassil, "the persistent slowdown and unjustified delay in the process of forming the government," reiterating its fear of "linking the formation to external factors that should in no way be used as a pretext to paralyze the country."

The bloc stressed that "it is still waiting to know the foundations upon which the president of the republic will agree with the prime minister designate, and accordingly determine its position on whether or not to support the government."

Conferees rejected "in any case, any attempt that has become a reality to bypass the constitutional provisions and override the powers of the president of the republic, who according to the constitution is a full partner in the formation process. Every word uttered by some to portray the president as a recipient, and limit his role to consultation, practically leads to disrupting the formation process and wasting time."