Hezbollah, Druze leaders urge unity government

In a rare meeting, Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah has held talks with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt over the formation of a national unity government in Lebanon.

The two sides discussed national and regional issues as well as calling for a speedy formation of a unity government, Lebanese media reported Saturday.

"Both sides agreed on the need to overcome as soon as possible the obstacles hindering the formation of a new government," the two heavyweight politicians said in a joint statement.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has been trying to form a national unity government since June, when his Western-backed March 14 Alliance won a parliamentary election.

His first bid — 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.

Hariri is expected to present a new cabinet lineup to President Michel Suleiman; who is unlikely to approve any proposal that does not have opposition support, Xinhua reported.

Citing a source close to Hariri, the report said the former cabinet lineup is still a possibility. The source, however, did not provide details on the upcoming proposal.