Beirut, October 01: Prime minister-designate Saad Hariri said on Thursday he is still keen to form a national unity government but does not rule out a different formula if he fails to reach a deal with his political rivals.
Hariri spoke following a week of talks with the various parliamentary blocs in his second bid to form a government since a June election that saw his coalition win against a Hezbollah-led alliance.
Discussions will continue amid hopes of an agreement soon, he said.
“My priority is on forming a national unity government but all possibilities are open if we reach an impasse,” Hariri told reporters.
“I remain optimistic but the main problem is the lack of confidence between the parties,” he added.
“We are working on building trust and that is why the dialogue will continue.”
He said his latest consultations helped open a small window of opportunity which he hopes will lead to a breakthrough.
Retired General Michel Aoun, a leading Christian member of the opposition, said after meeting Hariri on Thursday that he is optimistic about a cabinet list being announced in coming days.
“Our meeting today was very positive and we agreed on a number of issues,” he said. “I hope we will have a cabinet in the next few days.”
Hariri abandoned his first bid to form a national unity cabinet earlier this month after failing to secure backing for a proposed line-up from opponents, who insist on having a say as to who would who head each ministry.
His initial line-up included 15 ministers from his camp, 10 from the opposition and five to be appointed by the president.
Hariri and his allies won a majority of 71 seats in an election earlier that month, while a rival coalition led by Hezbollah clinched 57.
The Hezbollah opposition had actually secured the majority (52%) of the votes in Lebanon, but could not secure a majority of Parliamentary seats (it won 45%) because of the nature of the sectarian government system in the country.
—Agencies