As the designated Prime Minister Najib Mikati awaits his return to Beirut, the number of scenarios regarding the anticipated government formation has increased. These scenarios are being circulated in the media, political circles, and on social media, blending wishes and desires with facts that still require some political refinements to close discussions around them. This is particularly true for those concerning the extent of proposed amendments to ministerial portfolios within the caretaker government to restore what has been lost in terms of constitutional specifications.
According to limited circulated information, preparations are underway to form the government in the required format from both internal and external sources. There is growing concern among political circles that aim to avoid fruitless constitutional debates that do not benefit from discussions straying from the constitutional and legal norms. This is in an attempt to prevent chaos and the suggestion of what cannot be accomplished through constitutional and legal means before the end of the presidential term, created by political and partisan thoughts and fatwas that exhibit a form of political isolation and exacerbate internal disagreements among their political leaders and parliamentary blocs.
Based on this information, informed political sources revealed to "Al-Markazia" that those concerned with the government formation are awaiting Mikati's return to Beirut in the coming hours to seriously discuss the latest developments surrounding the governmental deadlines to revive them in light of upcoming developments, not only regarding the anticipated maritime border demarcation if its expected chapters are completed but also to address what is expected from a presidential vacancy should it occur after the 31st of next month, without complications and constitutional fatwas not endorsed by any independent or neutral reference, even if this might lead to an atmosphere of hesitation and unrest that could be avoided with a step of this kind.
Accordingly, concerned sources have denied the exaggerated claims about the extent of proposed amendments to the caretaker government’s structure and the number of ministers proposed for change, clarifying that it is premature to discuss this with the required accuracy. Despite the circulated scenarios, what is expected is not of such magnitude that could affect Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Saadeh Al-Shami as some have promoted for known reasons, and a change in the tourism portfolio is not under consideration. Minister Walid Nassar will remain in his position and is not expected to face any potential changes, as he is aligned with the President and Mikati has not raised any concerns about him until recently.
Thus, what is tangible does not involve anyone other than Minister of the Displaced Dr. Issam Sharaf Al-Din, and it is not significant who will succeed him or who will appoint him, although his fate is not tied to the head of the Lebanese Democratic Party. Mikati merely wanted to be distant from the first session held by the council of ministers upon returning to government work and productivity, as conveyed by a close associate. Moreover, the fate of Minister of Economy Amin Salam is seriously on the table without any debate, evidenced by the consultations held with the Sunni MPs from Akkar and their allies from other sects, including MPs from the Free Patriotic Movement, who sought to have a say in the identity of the person they agree upon. It was said days ago that an agreement was reached on the name of the anticipated replacement, which was also endorsed by Mikati, who has not concealed his desire for a change despite what was described as a "reconciliation" that took place between them.
This situation unfolds amid the understanding that the fate of Finance Minister Youssef Khalil has been and continues to be in the hands of one reference only, which is Speaker Nabih Berri who has yet to reveal his final word, awaiting the last moment. Observers do not disregard Khalil’s treatment during the public budget discussion session by the Speaker, who implied his fate. The communications that followed that incident did not suggest a confirmed amendment, even as some demand that former MP Yassine Jaber replace him due to the "humiliation" he faced during the May parliamentary elections when he was excluded from participating in a manner deemed "inappropriate." It is acknowledged that a significant error was made against him and must be corrected as quickly as possible, as per sources close to President Berri.
In light of all these factors, monitored sources insist on the necessity of awaiting Mikati's return to determine what might happen. He has apparently not conducted any communication during his absence from Beirut between London and New York with the President, contrary to what was conveyed by a follow-up official. He added that it was not expected for Baabda to receive a report from French Ambassador Anne Grillo about the results of Mikati's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and from various sources regarding some other meetings held at the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. While Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab took on explaining the outcomes of the meetings with American envoy Amos Hochstein, no other report was sourced from Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib.
