Lebanon’s FPM to nominate two Armenian ministers

PanARMENIAN.Net - Two main hurdles delaying the birth of a new Cabinet were knocked down Wednesday, June 8, as deliberations to speed up the formation process gained momentum after Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati held “icebreaker” talks in Parliament with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

Sources close to the meeting said talks were able to resolve difficulties related to the telecommunication and energy and water resources ministries with parties agreeing for the FPM to retain the two portfolios.

“ We are working on putting the final touches on the Cabinet,” a source said, Daily Star reported.

Nearly five months after the designation of Mikati as prime minister, Cabinet formation efforts have been obstructed by snags over the distribution of portfolios in a 30-member Cabinet lineup.

The FPM share will also include two Armenian ministers, whose names have yet to be made available, one to head the industry ministry and one minister of state. However, FPM sources warned that if the agreement reached Wednesday among the groups involved in the formation of the Cabinet fails to be swiftly implemented this can only mean that a new government will never see the light of day.