March 8 Coalition Prepares to Cement Its Government Majority... and Bassil Pressures Mikati

After Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri set a new date for the election of parliamentary committees for next Tuesday, he moved to Baabda Palace to meet with President Michel Aoun in a protocol visit that undoubtedly covered the obligatory parliamentary consultations for appointing the new Prime Minister, as confirmed by Berri upon leaving the palace in response to reporters' inquiries. Informed sources within the March 8 coalition noted that yesterday's electoral event encouraged these forces to "hasten the necessary parliamentary consultations to reaffirm their majority in the governmental process." While it pointed out that "the picture remains unclear" regarding the personality who will receive the support of parliamentary deputies and blocs for the task of appointing the new government, the same sources expressed confidence that the coming hours would witness rapid communications led by "Hezbollah" in an effort to seize the opportune moment and regroup behind a unified candidate who has the backing of the parliamentary majority that successfully brought Bou Saab to the position of deputy speaker. In this context, it indicated that the chances of President Najib Mikati remain high with "Hezbollah," especially since his communication channels remain open with the French and the Arab and international communities, in addition to his ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. However, the same sources revealed that "Bassil will seek to impose his ministerial conditions strongly within the governmental balance and has already begun the process of pressuring Mikati by reintroducing the name of Jad Adra to head the new government."