Lebanese opposition warms to new Cabinet

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Lawmakers with the Lebanese Hezbollah expressed confidence a new government would emerge in Beirut based on a previous power-sharing arrangement.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri led his March 14 coalition to power in June parliamentary election in Lebanon, narrowly defeating the March 8 opposition alliance.

Hariri reached a power-sharing agreement for a new government that includes 15 members of March 14, 10 members of March 8 and five supporters of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman.

Hariri met during the weekend with Naim Qassem, the deputy chief of Hezbollah, to discuss the structure of the next government.

Qassem said a new government based on the 15-10-5 formula could develop within the next 10 days, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

"There is a consensus on the 15-10-5 formula as we look forward to eliminating a few complications," he said.

Sources allied with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told the Star that Syrian and Saudi Arabian talks schedule for later in the week were expected to include discussions on the next Lebanese government as well.

Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, stressed the "importance" of an upcoming summit in an interview with Hezbollah's al-Manar news station last week.

"If some believe that the government is only made in Lebanon, they are wrong," he said.