Formation of a New Cabinet Could Speed Up the Process of Awarding Blocks in Lebanon’s Offshore

摘要

After more than 10 months of political deadlock that prevented the formation of a new government by the Prime Minister designate, Mr. Tammam Salam, a new Cabinet was unveiled on 15 February. It is composed of 24 ministers who were selected with a concern to ensure equality between the three parties that comprise the new administration, with eight representing the “Centrists”, the party of the President of the Republic, eight coming from the “14 March” movement led by the Current of the Future party headed by Mr. Saad Hariri, and eight from the “8 March” party dominated by Hezbollah. The new government’s principal mission is to organize presidential elections, since the term of office of Mr. Michel Sleiman ends on 26 May. Under the country’s constitution, however, if elections do not take place within the allotted time, the government will assume the executive powers of the presidency. Mr. Sleiman will then resign following the election of a new President.