Political interests were divided yesterday between the government formation file, in light of the visits of the designated Prime Minister Saad Hariri to the Arab Gulf, and the investigation into the Beirut port explosion, following the removal of the investigative judge Fadi Sawan and the appointment of judge Tarek Bitar in his place, after a long judicial day.
According to the "Al-Joumhouria" newspaper, observers expect that work on the government formation front will intensify after Hariri returns from abroad, as those concerned will benefit from some flexible internal positions, as well as from external stances and movements suggesting that the birth of the government is close. This is particularly evident as consensus seems to be forming around the 6-6-6 government format (i.e., 18 ministers) without any team having a blocking third. This format is the focus of both internal and external communications to the extent that Moscow, through the words of Russian presidential advisor Mikhail Bogdanov, called for support for Hariri in forming a government without a blocking third for anyone. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, emphasized that it "looks forward to Lebanon returning to its previous status and pioneering role."
In the recent period, designated Prime Minister Saad Hariri has been conducting extensive Arab and international tours to push forward the government formation process and save Lebanon. His latest visit was to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister, at the Al Sahil Palace. The UAE News Agency reported that the meeting included discussions on aspects of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and a number of regional and international issues. Al Nahyan expressed his wishes for the success of the mission to form a Lebanese government that considers the national interest, transcends conflicts, and is capable of facing the various challenges surrounding Lebanon.
