An-Nahar: The Cabinet process faces a new Sunni -Arslan hurdle

Following the positive push from Damascus toward forming a Mikati-led Cabinet, which began its course on Jan. 25, heavy communication took place among the new majority but without an end in sight. This shows that the Cabinet won't be announced before the end of next week.

President Michel Sleiman is still waiting for Mikati to present him with a lineup, so that the two can agree on Sleiman's candidate. Sources told An Nahar that Sleiman had informed the two Khalils [the Hezbollah and Amal representatives] that he will not announce his candidate before the lineup is complete.

The problems now reside in the sixth Sunni representation, with Hezbollah and Mikati vying for it and Talal Arslan's refusal to be allotted a minister of state portfolio.

As Safir: Sleiman awaits Cabinet lineup to name his final ministers

From the Sixth Maronite candidate to the sixth Sunni candidate, the process of Cabinet formation remained steady approaching the end of its fifth month, while some lawmakers of the new majority had expressed optimism that now seems exaggerated. The game now is to blame the delay on one issue or another; a game that Lebanese are tired of.

The Sunni candidate seems the most difficult hurdle to overcome especially if Mikati does not cooperate and accept the new majority's candidacy for Faisal Karami, the son of MP Omar Karami.

Sources said that MP Michel Aoun showed leniency over the issue of the sixth Maronite, who is supposed to be named by the president.

In an interview with a Syrian television yesterday, Aoun said that Lebanon has many political factions with some speaking in a way that might reveal they are against the Syrian regime, but they don't represent the Lebanese point of view.

Al-Akhbar: The Karami problem threatens the formation of the Cabinet

Consultations regarding the formation of the Cabinet continued yesterday with renewed optimism which appeared last Wednesday. The efforts did overcome the hurdle concerning the sixth Maronite candidate and efforts began to overcome the sixth Sunni representation. But signs of pessimism appeared.

Sources close to the new majority confirmed that the issue of the sixth Maronite candidate has been resolved, adding that NEW TV owner Tahsin Khayyat played a substantial role in convincing the two generals, Aoun and Sleiman, to reach a settlement which gave the right to name this particular candidate to Sleiman.

The two Khalils told Mikati the new majority will not oppose four Tripoli ministers.

Tawheed Movement leader Wiam Wahhab reflected a pessimist view yesterday when he said that the Cabinet will not be formed soon, affirming that the only way out resides in forming a national unity government.

Al-Mustaqbal: The wave of optimism recedes

After 142 days, the new majority began showing positive signs regarding the formation of the Cabinet.

But these positive signs were met with some reservations especially from Hezbollah, while Baabda seemed calm despite attempts to throw the ball in the president’s court.

In any case, Baabda sources were careful not to exaggerate in the optimism.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said Friday that Lebanon's problem is the political attitude of its lawmakers, emphasizing the need to end conflicts.