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| 09/07/2008 Day after day, the government formation crisis in Lebanon becomes more complicated, and the identity of the obstructers becomes clearer.
On Tuesday, MP Saad Hariri held lengthy talks with key figures in the loyalty bloc, claiming that “March 14 powers” are united and describing all "rumors" about internal conflicts as "mere delusions." Nevertheless, Hariri was unable to convince the Lebanese, given that the national-unity government hasn't seen light yet although days have passed since the opposition submitted its approval to one of the Prime Minister Designate Fouad Saniora proposals.
Moreover, Hariri’s "united bloc" has seen its key members slamming each other and fiercely competing over cabinet portfolios under the "rights" slogan. In this context, MP Boutros Harb, one of the bloc figures, decided to withhold his vote of confidence to the government, according to Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar. He also began preparing for a series of moves and actions in this direction even if these maneuvers would force him to move away from the loyalty bloc alliance.
And if some of the problems can be remedied, others cannot, namely the multiple requests of the LF bloc that has been refusing to take “average” portfolios and wants to be represented by more than one minister.
JUMBLATT: WE HAVE 17 MPS WHILE THE LEBANESE FORCES HAVE 5
For his part, MP Walid Jumblatt delivered Wednesday multiple messages, to allies before rivals, from the Baabda presidential palace.
Speaking to journalists after meeting President Michel Suleiman, Jumblatt expressed hope ministerial portfolios would be distributed based on proportionality. "The Democratic Gathering comprises 17 MPs, while the Lebanese Forces bloc comprises five MPs," he pointed out in a clear message to his ally Samir Geagea. Jumblatt was also quoted by Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar as stressing the need to not take Geagea's multiple requests into consideration.
"Everyone in March 14 made a mistake by not adopting proportionality as stipulated in the Fouad Boutros electoral law, which guarantees the rights of Christians," Jumblatt said.
The head of the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc demanded that his bloc be represented by a minister with a portfolio, as well as a state minister. He also stressed the importance of appointing former MP Talal Arselan as a minister in the new government in order to improve living conditions for Druz residents of the Mountain.
SOURCES: JUMBLATT'S STANCE WILL MAKE ALLIES RECONSIDER POSITIONS!
The need to form the cabinet at the earliest opportunity was also raised during the meeting between Suleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri who visited him at Baabda.
Political sources said that the new Lebanese cabinet formation will be announced within a few hours, linking the meetings Suleiman held Wednesday, especially with Berri and Jumblatt, to the resolve to form the government prior to Suleiman's departure to Paris next Saturday.
The sources, requesting anonymity, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that MP Jumblatt's stance reiterated in front of the Presidential Palace in Baabda which sent overt messages to his Christian allies that they must return to the logic of independence and keep away from individualism, will make those allies reconsider their position, stopping them from regrouping within the loyalty.
The final lineup of the cabinet will become clear after Suleiman ends his meetings with all factions, the sources added.
LOYALTY BLOC SOUGHT TO PUT BALL IN OPPOSITION COURT BUT FAILED!
However, the problem still lies within the loyalty bloc, and so does the solution. During the few past hours, this bloc sought to return the ball to the opposition court, seeking to accuse it once again of obstructing solutions.
The loyalty bloc “refused” that former minister Ali Kanso is given a portfolio in the new cabinet. According to analysts, the “March 14” bloc is seeking to throw the ball in the opposition court to buy time to solve their differences.
It is not customary that either bloc rejects the nomination of any candidate, however the loyalty camp has broken this custom, knowing that the opposition did not object to any of their so far proposed candidates. | 
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