The "tide and ebb" continues between the Baabda Palace and the government palace in the final stages of forming the new government. Recently, President Michel Aoun renewed his intimidation campaign against the designated Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, hinting at the possibility of issuing a decree to accept the resignation of the current government, which is typically issued alongside the decree for the formation of the new government. This step would lead to the dissolution of Mikati's current government and paralyze its ability to conduct business. Government sources categorized this as "intimidation prior to formation," asserting that "Aoun knows better than anyone that he cannot take such a suicidal step, or rather 'Hezbollah' will not allow him to bring the structure crashing down on everyone's heads." They viewed Aoun's occasional intimidating messages as merely an attempt to preempt the birth of the government by trying to score additional points against the designated Prime Minister, suggesting that after its formation, he was able to subdue him and compel him to form the government in the end.
Mikati confirmed yesterday after meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York that efforts are underway to "finalize the government file next week," stressing that the matter no longer requires "much discussion" with the President, especially since "the country needs a government that can address its problems as much as possible," while noting that "the issue is still stalled at one minister from here and another from there."
