The US sanctions imposed on MP Gebran Bassil and their domestic repercussions prevailed over the political scene in Lebanon and delayed the consultations to form a new government.
Well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that no recent developments occurred over the past two days, except for a proposal made by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to President Michel Aoun over a change in the distribution of the sovereign and service portfolios.
While the sources ruled out any progress before next week, they said that the impact of the recent sanctions on the formation process was still unclear, as political blocs were now evaluating the situation and have expressed different opinions on the matter.
Bassil, in a televised address on Sunday, said the sanctions will not impact the formation efforts.
The United States on Friday blacklisted the MP, accusing him of corruption and ties to Hezbollah.
Some politicians noted that the US Treasury decision might lead to speeding up the completion of the government lineup, in order to avoid more sanctions. Others shared the opposite view and saw that each side would stick to its demands - especially Bassil and Hezbollah - which would further complicate the birth of the government.
Former deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani said that the government consultations would either face more complications due to the parties’ insistence on quota sharing; or would see a softer approach that would lead to the formation of a cabinet of independents.
Leading member of the al-Mustaqbal Movement, former MP Mustafa Alloush affirmed that the process of forming the government had initially stumbled at hurdles placed by Bassil. But he added that although the sanctions had an effect on the process, they were not the only reason for the current stalling.
Hariri is seeking to reach a quick solution to the formation of the cabinet in order to save the country from the deteriorating situation, Alloush emphasized.
