Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam (C) arrives to give a statement at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 14, 2025. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
“Go look for Nabih Berri,” said a figure close to Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam by way of summing up the delay in forming the government, which, on Thursday, had seemed imminent.The process remains stalled at one major roadblock: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri acting on behalf of the Amal-Hezbollah alliance, continues to insist on having a say in the selection of the fifth Shiite minister, while the president and the prime minister-designate want to choose a candidate of their own.The goal is to prevent the alliance from triggering the collective resignation of Shiite ministers, which would paralyze the next government in the name of “sectarian legitimacy.”During a meeting at the Baabda Presidential Palace on Thursday, Aoun and Salam refused to yield to Berri’s conditions, opting instead to delay the Cabinet formation until this...
“Go look for Nabih Berri,” said a figure close to Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam by way of summing up the delay in forming the government, which, on Thursday, had seemed imminent.The process remains stalled at one major roadblock: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri acting on behalf of the Amal-Hezbollah alliance, continues to insist on having a say in the selection of the fifth Shiite minister, while the president and the prime minister-designate want to choose a candidate of their own.The goal is to prevent the alliance from triggering the collective resignation of Shiite ministers, which would paralyze the next government in the name of “sectarian legitimacy.”During a meeting at the Baabda Presidential Palace on Thursday, Aoun and Salam refused to yield to Berri’s conditions, opting instead to delay the Cabinet formation...
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles
