Hariri in France to clear head on Cabinet

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri left the country for France to distance himself from the disputes over forming the next government, officials say.

Hariri led his March 14 coalition to victory over the opposition March 8 slate in the parliamentary elections held June 7, promising to work quickly to form a new unity government.

Hariri and his supporters had moved close to a provision with opposition leaders, including members of Hezbollah, that provided a foundation for a new Cabinet. The weekend departure of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt from the March 14 coalition, however, left government efforts in limbo.

Departing Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who met with Hariri earlier in the week, said the premier had left for France to escape the political bickering in Beirut, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

"Hariri wanted to distance himself from the heated rhetoric regarding the cabinet's formation and the political make-up of the March 14 coalition," Siniora told reporters.

Jumblatt said he would not join opposition parties, instead offering his allegiance to Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. Rami Rayess, a spokesman for Jumblatt, said the Druze leader would remain on the sidelines of any disputes between the rival factions in Beirut.

"We would neither be enemies with the March 14 nor we will plead the opposition," he said.

Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, meanwhile, said the formula reached with opposition leaders on the new government remained in force.