Al-Jumhuriya newspaper reported that the government formation file is moving behind the scenes amid indirect negotiations taking place between Baabda and Beit al-Wasat, led by General Abbas Ibrahim who is working on this issue intensively, in an attempt to smooth out the remaining obstacles to the formation of the government and to arrange an understanding between the two sides that allows for a productive, rather than a ceremonial, meeting.
Sources monitoring the communications told Al-Jumhuriya that the negotiations have made some progress, even though they are challenging due to the rigidity in positions, supported by American-French pressure to find a solution to the Lebanese crisis. They pointed out that things require time and are not easy, hinting at a return of street movements and their hidden connection to the formation file. The sources also noted that these communications are still insufficient to create an entry point for reviving meetings between President Michel Aoun and Hariri to resolve the government formula based on where the negotiations left off regarding the cabinet lineup that Hariri submitted to the President since December 9.
Additionally, the newspaper quoted informed sources stating that the appointed Prime Minister Saad Hariri is waiting for the scheduling of some appointments to finalize his visit to Paris, following the efforts made by the French administration during the phase that followed Biden's arrival at the White House and the content of the call that took place between him and Macron.
Meanwhile, Lebanese media previously reported that the crisis of forming the new government is worsening, and all available data indicate that the option for a swift resolution to the government crisis is not currently available, amid rising tensions and a war of statements between Lebanese President Michel Aoun, supported by his political team 'the Free Patriotic Movement led by MP Gebran Bassil', and the appointed Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
