A source close to PM-designate Tammam Salam told The Daily Star that the latter is carrying on contacts with all the parties to reach consensus on a new Cabine, noting that the next two days "are delicate".

"Salam is considering all options and he has not yet decided on a final option. But the formation of a 14-member Cabinet has become a possibility after the March 8 [coalition] rejected Salam's proposal for a 24-member Cabinet divided equally among the March 8 and March 14 parties and the centrist bloc," the source said.

The source said there was no final date as to when Salam would present his Cabinet list to Sleiman, whose approval is essential before the new government can seek a vote of confidence from Parliament.

He added that the Cabinet formation has been stymied by the March 8 alliance's insistence on veto power, which requires one more minister than Salam has offered, a demand the prime minister-designate has rejected.