July 5, 2008
1. 'Prisoner swap huge failure for Israel' Anticipation of the swap deal between Hezbollah and Israel to materialize goes parallel with the prospect of a new cabinet to be formed soon, amid general optimism over the distribution of portfolios. According to Hariri's Mustakbal daily, Suleiman was counting on the positive atmosphere that emerged following Sayyed Nasrallah's press conference in which he extended a hand to the pro-government camp. Al Mustaqbal quoted Hariri as telling visitors that he "cannot reject any initiative launched by President Suleiman." Those measures were reversed and after talks led by Qatar, the two sides agreed to form a unity government, within which Hezbollah would have a blocking minority.
It would have two Hezbollah ministers, in addition to nine ministers from the group's Shia Muslim, Druze and Christian allies, sources told Reuters.
The 11 cabinet seats would be enough, under Lebanon's complex system, to block decisions in the 30-member cabinet.
The ruling coalition would have 16 ministers in the cabinet, while the remaining three would be picked by the the president.
The new unity government would be formed before Suleiman travels to France on July 12. President Michel Suleiman might skip the Mediterranean Summit in France on July 13, in case a new government was not formed.
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