Hariri meets Aoun over cabinet lineup

As time is running out for a national unity government in Lebanon, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri holds a meeting with Christian leader Michel Aoun.

The two leaders discussed names and distribution of ministerial portfolios in a two-hour meeting in Rabiyeh on Monday, Lebanese media reported.

"The atmosphere is very positive and talks will continue," said Aoun.

Aoun had formerly accused internal elements of hampering the formation of a national unity government, saying "some parties" are putting a foreign agenda into action in order to weaken state institutions and to enable foreign powers to take control over Lebanon.

"Internal political sides severing the interest of foreign players in Lebanon are obstructing government formation," Naharnet quoted Aoun as saying.

Hariri, who left the meeting without making any statement, has been trying to form a national unity government since June, when his Western-backed March 14 Alliance won the parliamentary election.

His two first bids — with the 15-10-5 formula, which gives the ruling majority 15 portfolios, the opposition 10 and the president 5 — failed to secure support from the opposition who insists on having a say in who heads each ministry.