Nov 7, 2009, 10:28 GMT
Beirut - Lebanon's ruling majority and the opposition led by Hezbollah have agreed to form a national-unity cabinet, thus ending a six-month political impasse in the country, sources said Saturday.
A high-ranking source in the Western-backed ruling majority told the German Press agency dpa, 'an agreement was reached, but we are still waiting for the proposed names from the opposition on who would fill each portfolio in the new cabinet.'
'Once we have all the names, the cabinet will be announced,' the source said.
Unofficial sources said the cabinet will be formed in the coming 48 hours.
A statement by Hezbollah confirmed that the opposition leaders have agreed to form a national government in line with the outcome of negotiations held by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
Hezbollah's statement expressed hope that such a step will benefit Lebanon.
This development indicates the opposition agrees with Hariri's proposed distribution of portfolios among the parties, and the cabinet formation based on a 15-10-5 formula - granting the majority 15 ministers, the opposition 10 and the president five.
Hariri's government-lineup proposal reportedly gives the Christian hardline leader Michel Aoun, who is a member of the opposition the Telecommunications, Tourism and Industry portfolios, as well as a state ministry and the Energy Ministry.
As for the foreign affairs, Health and the Youth and Sports Ministry they were will given to House speaker Nabih Berri, who is close to the opposition.
Hezbollah's ministerial share will the portfolios of Agriculture and Administrative Development.
The remaining 20 seats will be divided between the majority and President Michel Suleiman.
Hariri has been struggling sine June to form a national unity that include all Lebanese rivals.
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