Formation of new Lebanese government is 'very close,' says Hariri

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has raised hopes about the formation of a new unity government in Lebanon, stating that statesmen are “very close” to the establishment of such an administration in the Arab country.

“I know that the formation of the government has taken too long, but we will be able to form it, God willing. We are very close to that,” Hariri said during a speech at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Tuesday.

He further noted that “there is progress” in the formation process.

Hariri’s comments came days after the parliamentary bloc of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement cast doubt over the Prime Minister-designate’s prediction that a new unity government will be formed in Lebanon soon.

“In light of the internal difficulties and obstacles hampering the formation, it is unlikely for the government to be formed within the ten-day time limit set by Hariri,” an unnamed source close to the movement told Lebanon's Arabic-language daily newspaper al-Joumhouria on Friday.

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Hariri said on October 9 that all political sides had made concessions on their demands for posts in the next Cabinet, expressing hope that a new government would be formed after President Michel Aoun returns from a trip abroad.

Aoun traveled to Armenia on October 10, and was back in Lebanon two days later.

The prime minister-designate said on October 4 that the government would be formed within a week to 10 days because the economy could not tolerate further delay. He called on all sides to make concessions.

Lebanon's first parliamentary vote in nine years was held on May 6, with over 500 candidates vying for seats. Turnout was 49.2 percent, according to officials.

According to official results, Hezbollah and its political allies secured over half the seats.

Hezbollah as well as groups and individuals affiliated to it won at least 67 seats in Lebanon’s parliament, according to the results cited by politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media.

Hezbollah's allies include the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement founded by Aoun.

The parliamentary seats are split evenly -- 64 for Christians and 64 for Muslims, including Druze, with the two halves further divided among 11 religious groups.

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Hariri has called on political parties to “show modesty” in their demands regarding the new government, emphasizing that he is not responsible for the serious delay.

“They are blaming me for the delay whereas each party is clinging to its stances and demands,” he told reporters on August 7 ahead of a meeting for the Future Movement parliamentary bloc.

“Everyone must display modesty and sacrifice for the sake of the country,” Hariri said.

Political rivalry led to years of governmental paralysis in Lebanon, and the country did not produce a state budget from 2005 until last year. 

The International Monetary Fund has said that Lebanon must urgently address its fiscal policy in order to sustain its high levels of public debt.

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