The media office of the head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, Prince Talal Arslan, confirmed in a statement that:
"The approach to the topic of Druze representation in the government is fundamentally constitutional, national, and covenantal and has no relation to political disputes." The statement added, "It is therefore useful to remind those concerned that proper Druze representation in the government is an acquired right and not a favor from anyone. The effort to reduce this (Druze) representation to one minister is an encroachment on Druze rights, and no one has the authority to do so, neither the designated president nor any other political group. We will not allow this encroachment, and that is final."
This came in response to the statement from the designated head of the Lebanese government, Saad Hariri, who mentioned that "there will be no government except with 18 ministers... and that is final."
The issue of forming the Lebanese government has sparked a debate among political parties, with the latest exchange occurring between President Aoun and President Hariri. Hariri accused the presidency of deliberately provoking a Christian-Muslim confrontation, while the media office at the presidential palace responded to Hariri by accusing him of monopolizing the naming of ministers, especially Christians, without coordinating with the President.
