BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Beirut's struggles to form a new government face another setback as Druze leader Walid Jumblatt ends his alliance with the Western-backed March 14 slate.
Lebanon held national elections in June, with voters handing the March 14 slate a narrow victory over the opposition March 8 coalition.
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri appeared close to forming a unity government by offering modest concessions to the opposition movement.
That move brought statements of praise from Hezbollah leaders. But with Walid Jumblatt, the fiery Druze leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, announcing an end to his alliance with March 14, the political climate in Beirut is in disarray, reports Hezbollah's al-Manar news network.
Jumblatt in a weekend meeting said his "necessary" alliance with March 14 had ended, saying the Hariri government was moving closer to disagreeable sectarian trends.
"The June 7 parliamentary elections led to sectarian alliances which should be eliminated," Jumblatt said.
Nabih Berri, the Lebanese speaker of Parliament, said he expected the Jumblatt announcement would have a negative result on the efforts to form a new government.
"Jumblatt's position proved my expectations that there will be a reshuffling of cards after the June 7 parliamentary elections," he said.
