Jumblat Denounces 'Attempts to Obstruct' Formation of Cabinet

Leader of the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc criticized Friday the parties trying to hamper the formation of the government under PM-designate Saad Hariri.

“Some parasites are hampering the formation process of the government. Burt they are being dealt with,” said Jumblat via Twitter.

Jumblat was referring to attempts of some political parties, without naming them, to delay the cabinet line-up.

Hariri is finding some difficulty in finalizing the final touches to form the government in light of the demands of some political parties for specific ministerial portfolios.

The Mustaqbal Movement chief, Hariri, was tasked to form a cabinet after his designation on November 3 shortly after the election of President Michel Aoun on October 31.

Hariri's appointment and Aoun's election as president after two and a half years of presidential vacuum have raised hopes that Lebanon can begin tackling challenges including a stagnant economy, a moribund political class and the influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.

In a sign that Hariri's task ahead might not be easy, Hizbullah's MPs declined to endorse him for the prime minister post.

Hariri is likely to struggle with his government's policy statement, which will have to make reference to Israel, as well as the war in Syria, both potential flashpoints with Hizbullah.

The process of forming a government could take months, with horsetrading likely to revolve around the distribution of key posts like the finance, defense and energy ministries.