Berri Says Expediting Cabinet Formation ‘Necessary and Urgent’

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that forming the Cabinet sooner than Eid al-Fitr falls in the country’s favor in light of the “massive challenges and crises facing Lebanon and the economic situation,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

“The sooner we form the Cabinet, the better for the country. Nothing prevents this government from being born during the intervening period until Eid al-Fitr. The Lebanese will then have two occasions to celebrate,” said the Speaker.

Media reports have earlier said the line-up of the new government is likely to be announced on the eve of the Eid al-Fitr holiday or shortly afterwards.

“Expediting the formation is necessary and urgent. It is a duty for everyone to face the enormous challenges facing the country and the growing crises in it, especially the economic situation which can not be delayed, procrastinated or slowed. It requires exceptional approaches and responsible solutions,” stressed the Speaker.

Sources close to Berri said he is waiting for political parties to prove their spoken intentions on facilitating the formation by putting their words into deeds, “everyone has agreed on the need to expedite the formation.”

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is tasked with forming a coalition cabinet -- typically a drawn-out process involving horse-trading among Lebanon's competing political forces.