New pitfalls for next Lebanese government

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Developing the next Lebanese government was put on hold as Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri heads to Saudi Arabia for Ramadan celebrations.

Hariri left Beirut for Saudi Arabia to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan with his family. Sources to the Daily Star, a Lebanese newspaper, said the presumptive premier is not expected to discuss his next Cabinet during his visit. The report did not indicate when Hariri was expected back in Lebanon.

Hariri led his March 14 coalition to victory, pledging to move quickly on a new government. A power-sharing agreement with opposition members in the March 8 slate brought some optimism, but the departure of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt from March 14 cast shadows over the next government.

Jumblatt, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, announced an end to his alliance with ruling March 14 in early August, saying his "necessary" partnership with the Western-backed coalition had ended.

Wael Abou Faour, a lawmaker with the PSP, however, said he would not allow other officials to weaken attempts to form a new government.

He said Jumblatt's decision to leave March 14 was not a political coup against the anti-Syrian coalition, nor was it an attempt to undermine the results of the June 7 elections.

He stressed that Jumblatt was still committed to forming an independent and sovereign Lebanese government, but added the Druze leader saw the need for "a new political approach" for the next Cabinet.