Cabinet talks on hold in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Despite an overall positive sentiment on the next government in Lebanon, Cabinet deliberations are on hiatus while President Michel Suleiman visits Spain.

Suleiman met with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri during the weekend to discuss the latest effort at forming a government in Lebanon. Hariri described the negotiation process as positive, saying a breakthrough on the talks was "imminent," Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

Hariri led his March 14 coalition to power in June parliamentary elections, defeating the March 8 opposition slate and promising to form a unity government quickly. Disputes over the appointment of caretaker Telecommunications Minister Jebran Bassil and political defections undermined his efforts, however, forcing Hariri to step down briefly.

Hariri met with Michel Aoun, Bassil's father-in-law and leader of the opposition Free Patriotic Movement, last week to discuss ministerial portfolios, with the Daily Star noting the telecommunications portfolio was still up for debate.

Suleiman returns to Beirut later this week.