Beirut: Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is engaged in
traditional horse-trading negotiations with President Michel Aoun,
Speaker Nabih Berri, and others, both to complete the formation of his
national unity cabinet as well as satisfy a motley-crew anxious to reap
benefits from their most recent political compromises.

Local media
sources revealed Hariri’s frustrations with the process, with some
underscoring how unrealistic these demands were. Apparently, three
specific portfolios complicated talks, and are delaying his wish to
complete the task over the next 72 hours.

According to Al
Jumhuriyyah daily, Hariri is emphasising the necessity to accept a
turnover of several key posts, including finance, defence and foreign
affairs, though the real fight is over the energy and telecommunications
ministries because those are seen as financial goldmines to
officeholders.

For now, the prime minister-designate seemingly
believes that a quick resolution of pending differences will help
accomplish key issues and translate the oath of office into effective
results. Towards that end, he sought and reportedly received pledges
from both Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Progressive Socialist
Party boss Walid Jumblatt, to facilitate his mission.

The
pro-Hezbollah daily Al Safir reported on Thursday that the Speaker
insisted the finance ministry must remain with his Amal bloc,
clarifying: “the Ta’if Accords stipulate that it should be part of the
Shiite sect’s share on the basis that the finance minister’s signature
on decrees is the only Shiite signature in the executive authority”.

Both of the Free Patriotic Movement and the LF expressed a desire to
fill the finance post but were willing to negotiate alternatives that
raised the ante. One of the alternatives put forward by the LF is to let
Amal keep the Ministry of Finance in exchange for the Ministry of
Defense, something that Hezbollah rejected. The Ministry of Interior is
expected to remain with Hariri’s Future Movement.

Hariri will now
sort these opposing views and submit his list to President Aoun, whose
first few days in office were preoccupied with a slew of protocol
visits. Though the presidential election glow continues to permeate over
Lebanon, few expect dramatic transformations in the near future, even
if the October 31 coronation occurred only after Saad Hariri switched
his backing from Suleiman Franjieh.

Hariri’s endorsement of Aoun
unravelled Hezbollah’s obstructionist steps, and while the party
declined to endorse the Future Movement leader for the premiership, it
entrusted negotiations to Speaker Berri. He must now demonstrate
patience to reach the next stages, and as important as the cabinet
challenge is, the Prime Minister-designate must also winnow through the
government’s policy statement, which will not only have to make a
reference to Israel, but must also tackle the ongoing civil war in
Syria, both of which are potential flashpoints with Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s
wary citizens are anxious for Aoun and Hariri to succeed, and are
awaiting a government that will tackle various challenges, including how
to restart a stagnant economy.

In the past, the policy statement
focused on key economic matters and included the wooden triptych of the
“army-people-resistance” formula to defend the country, which the LF
dismissed, although Aoun and Hariri (along with the LF that will now be
entrusted a vital cabinet post) must reformulate to find the right
balance. Will the triptych survive intact and, in the affirmative, will
that bode well for Hariri’s anticipated national unity government?