Lebanon’s government formation stalled over Shiite minister dispute
Last-minute disagreements have stalled the announcement of the formation of Lebanon’s new government, Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters reported on February 7th.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reportedly refused to back Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam’s proposed candidate for the fifth Shiite minister.
Berri’s insistence on securing full control over the Shiite ministerial appointments disrupted what had appeared to be the final stages of negotiations. Optimism had grown following Salam’s visit to the presidential palace, where he met President Joseph Aoun. Berri’s presence at the meeting had signaled that the cabinet formation was close to completion.
However, according to sources, the process derailed when Berri demanded that the Hezbollah-Amal alliance should be permitted to name the minister.
A meeting on February 6th at the presidential palace brought Aoun, Berri and Salam together, as well as the secretary-general of the Council of Ministers Mahmoud Makiya. Speculation of an imminent announcement grew, yet the discussions lasted over 90 minutes before Berri exited through a back entrance. Salam followed shortly after without making any statement, reinforcing the uncertainty surrounding the talks.
Opposition figures have condemned the political standoff. MP Ghayath Yazbeck of the Lebanese Forces warned that Berri’s actions revealed how the Hezbollah-Amal alliance would operate in the next government. He took to X to say: “Either they impose their will, or they block the process. If the president and the prime minister-designate are waiting for them to change their ways, they will be waiting indefinitely—meanwhile, the state remains paralysed.”
The deadlock comes as Washington prepares to issue a strong warning to Lebanese leaders. Reuters, citing US officials and regional diplomats, reported that an American envoy will soon visit Beirut to stress that the United States will not tolerate unchecked Hezbollah influence over government formation.
Following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Qatar would maintain its support of Lebanon’s reconstruction and institutions. According to The Arab Weekly via Reuters, Al Thani emphasised that Qatar was “looking forward to the formation of the government and after that will look at a strategic partnership based on mutual interest.”
Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters, The Arab Weekly via Reuters
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