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Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was now facing new challenges with regards to Cabinet formation following MP Walid Jumblat's explosive remarks on terminating his alliance with the majority March 14 coalition. While Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that a 15-10-5 government formula "is there to stay," As-Safir daily said Tuesday that this agreement has "changed practically."

It said March 14 forces now got the one-third-plus-one guarantee (12 ministers), while the Opposition has 10 seats in addition to a "neutral" minister and President Michel Suleiman kept his share of five seats.

The three seats allotted for Jumblat, however, "where yet to be classified," As-Safir said, even though the pro-Jumblat ministers would be closer to both the President and the Opposition on strategic and core issues, while they would vote in favor of Hariri on day-to-day matters.

In this regard, Hariri met Suleiman at Baabda Palace overnight before heading to southern France on a family vacation.

Copyright Naharnet

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