The issue of maritime border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel has overshadowed other matters in recent hours, though this does not imply a halt in consultations regarding the formation of the government, which gained momentum earlier this week. While Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati was reported yesterday as saying, "The atmosphere is good so far, and things are nearing completion," many interpreted the statement from President Michel Aoun last Friday, in which he stated, "It seems that matters have not yet ripened in the government file, and some are maneuvering," as a negative sign suggesting that things have returned to complexity and stagnation. However, sources close to the president deny this, noting that "the governmental consultations have not stopped from resuming," considering that discussions have been proceeding calmly and are still ongoing through General Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, who is actively facilitating communication between the president and the prime minister-designate, carrying mutual ideas and proposals to accomplish the formation process.
The sources confirmed in a statement to "Asharq Al-Awsat" that what can be assured at this time is that "the change will not be limited only to the Ministers of Displaced Persons and Economy but will include between 3 to 5 ministers." The president, Mikati, will choose the Sunni minister in agreement with President Aoun, who should be from Akkar, as the (National Moderation) deputies link granting confidence to the new government with the condition that the appointed Sunni minister is from Akkar.
The sources added: "There is no final government formula yet, and it is likely that there won't be any major government development before next week; the current priority is to discuss and review the written proposal Lebanon received from the American mediator Amos Hochstein regarding the demarcation."
For their part, circles around Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati confirm that "government activity is ongoing, but cautious optimism prevails, as each time matters approach the final stage, a known group puts new obstacles in the way of accomplishing the formation process." They indicate, in a statement to "Asharq Al-Awsat," that "the proposal to expand the government to include 6 ministers of state has been dropped, and the ongoing consultations fall under the framework of working on adjusting the names of several ministers in the current structure."
The circles expressed surprise at Aoun's recent stance, where he accused some of maneuvering, considering that "those who are maneuvering are undoubtedly not Prime Minister Mikati but those surrounding President Aoun, making it necessary to direct the comments to them." In response to a question for "Asharq Al-Awsat," a parliamentary source from the "Free Patriotic Movement" stated: "Things are moving in a positive direction, and what is happening is a tug of war; the latest information indicates that the ministerial change will surpass the two ministers."
It seems confirmed at this point that the Ministers of Economy and Displaced Persons will be changed, while the status of other names included in the amendment remains undecided. The past months have seen disputes between Mikati and several ministers, most notably Minister of Displaced Persons Issam Sharaf El-Din, who was named by the head of the "Lebanese Democratic Party," Talal Arslan. The Prime Minister-designate believes it is necessary to replace Sharaf El-Din after Arslan lost his parliamentary seat in the last elections. Sharaf El-Din previously accused the Prime Minister of "yielding to international pressures regarding the file of the return of Syrian refugees to protect his interests abroad," leading to an exchange of criticisms between the two.
Additionally, Mikati's relationship with Minister of Economy Amin Salam has not been smooth in recent months. There have been reports of Mikati feeling annoyed by Salam's ambition to later assume the Prime Ministry, viewing him as aligned with the "Free Patriotic Movement."
As for Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, it was rumored that Speaker Nabih Berri wants to replace him with former minister Yassine Jaber, but his fate remains undecided. The situation of the Minister of Youth and Sports also remains unsettled, with rumors suggesting that head of the "Free Patriotic Movement" Gibran Bassil wishes to appoint former deputy from the movement, Eddie Maalouf, to this ministry.
