Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
President: Lebanese Government Will be Formed ‘Very Soon’
Error: Contact form not found.
by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff
Lebanese President Michel Aoun speaks during a meeting in Rome, Italy, on Nov. 30, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Tony Gentile / File.
Lebanon’s president said on Thursday a government would be formed very soon as political parties intensified negotiations to break a deadlock more than five months after elections.
A government source told Reuters the government is expected to be formed during the weekend.
Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri has been negotiating with Lebanon’s rival parties since a parliamentary election in May to form a new power-sharing cabinet, but they have so far been unable to reach consensus.
Asked by reporters on Thursday if a government would be agreed on, President Michel Aoun replied: “Yes, the government will be very soon or sooner.”
The major parties have jostled over the number of cabinet seats they should get and over the apportionment of the most powerful ministries. In recent days stepped-up talks between leaders have increased optimism that the deadlock may soon be broken.
“Forming the government is taking longer than expected but we will get there,” Hariri said on Tuesday.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is expected to return to Lebanon from a trip abroad on Friday.
The delay has increased concern over the threat of an economic crisis in the heavily-indebted country. Lebanon has the third largest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world at more than 150 percent, and a new government is expected to start moves toward bringing down the deficit.
