Lebanese govt formation delayed amid dispute over Shiite minister
Last-minute disputes have impeded the announcement of Lebanon’s new government, mainly due to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s insistence to name all Shiite ministers, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on February 7th.
Berri condemned Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam’s suggested candidate for the fifth Shiite minister, postponing what was seemingly an impending formation of government. Salam had visited the presidential palace, in which he met President Joseph Aoun. Berri also joined the two, which indicated the the cabinet formation was imminent.
Sources have said that Berri’s push for permitting the Hezbollah-Amal alliance to name the minister ultimately prevented the process from succeeding.
Asharq Al-Awsat
