The Lebanese Forces parliamentary bloc at the end of binding parliamentary consultations in Baabda, Jan.13, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam still has his work cut out for him.After largely smoothing over — though not entirely overcoming — the obstacle with Lebanon’s two main Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, Salam faces another hurdle.This time, it is the Christian parties that threaten to delay the formation of the Cabinet. Read more Salam: government formation progresses according to criteria and reformist trajectory The Lebanese Forces (LF) are pushing for “unified criteria” to be upheld in forming the future Cabinet. Like the Shiite duo Amal-Hezbollah, the LF wants to name its ministerial candidates while demanding key portfolios. Meanwhile, the LF’s Christian rival, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), has yet to decide whether it will partake in the new government.Still, those close to Salam remain optimistic....
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam still has his work cut out for him.After largely smoothing over — though not entirely overcoming — the obstacle with Lebanon’s two main Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, Salam faces another hurdle.This time, it is the Christian parties that threaten to delay the formation of the Cabinet. Read more Salam: government formation progresses according to criteria and reformist trajectory The Lebanese Forces (LF) are pushing for “unified criteria” to be upheld in forming the future Cabinet. Like the Shiite duo Amal-Hezbollah, the LF wants to name its ministerial candidates while demanding key portfolios. Meanwhile, the LF’s Christian rival, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), has yet to decide whether it will partake in the new government.Still, those close to Salam remain...