BEIRUT: Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib did not present his Cabinet lineup to President Michel Aoun Monday as had been widely expected, saying instead that he held consultations with the head of state over the formation process.

Adib's French-backed efforts to form a new a government had hit a major hurdle over the past 48 hours with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri insisting that the Shiite sect retain the Finance Ministry. Adib meanwhile has been pushing to rotate the leadership of the Finance, Defense, Interior and Foreign ministries among the main sects.

Adib had been expected to present Aoun with his proposed draft Cabinet lineup but instead he told reporters after his meeting at Baabda Palace that he had met Aoun for "further consultations" and that "hopefully things will work out."

Despite the ongoing deterioration in living conditions and external pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron for the swift formation of a new government, disagreements between Lebanons political factions have slowed progress on that front.

Reflecting this growing rift, Berris media office said Sunday that his Amal Movement would not participate in Adibs new government. Hezbollah, which is in a strategic and political alliance with Amal, appeared to back this move.

In addition to the Amal Movement, the other groups that have said they will not participate in the new government include the Free Patriotic Movement, the Future Movement, the Progressive Socialist Party and the Lebanese Forces.

Adib has repeatedly said that his Cabinet will be formed of specialists who are independent of the main political parties. His initial draft lineup contained 14 members, an official source told The Daily Stay Sunday, but with consultations ongoing this may yet change.

Adibs meeting with Aoun comes on the cusp of a 15-day deadline set by French President Emmanuel Macron for the formation of a new government.

The French president has emerged as a key power broker in Lebanon, whose ruling elites have failed to come together to enact the reforms needed to save the country from its worse ever financial crisis, which has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and Aug. 4 explosion at Beirut Port.

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