Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has adopted a wait and see approach to solve the government deadlock following his rejection to have a representative of the Hezbollah-backed March 8 alliance’s Sunni deputies in his cabinet.
Sources from Hezbollah told the Central News Agency on Wednesday that Hariri has placed the ball in the camp of the Shi’ite party.
During a press conference held last Tuesday, Hariri said Hezbollah is blocking the formation of the government.
“I did what I had to do, the lineup is ready, let everyone shoulder their responsibility so the country can move forward,” he said.
Following Hariri’s announcement, Speaker Nabih Berri and head of the Free Patriotic Movement caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said that statements by Hariri and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah have left “the door open for a solution” to the representation of the six Sunni lawmakers.
Sources from the Mustaqbal Movement and Bassil’s party said such a solution has not matured yet.
But Mustaqbal sources stressed that the cabinet deadlock is not local, saying it is linked to a foreign decision that awaits a green light from Iran.
The sources said Hariri had suggested naming a Sunni minister close to former Prime Minister Najib Mikati. However, Hezbollah rejected the proposal.
“Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc did not name Hariri for the premiership. Therefore, why wouldn’t the party choose to stay outside the government and act as opposition?” the sources asked.
