No solution to the Cabinet crisis or the vacant presidency is expected to emerge soon, according to sources from the Free Patriotic Movement, who also said that several difficulties must be resolved before a productive meeting can be held between leaders of the group and the Lebanese Forces.

At a dinner last week, FPM leader Michel Aoun reportedly told former Prime Minister Saad Hariri that his party’s ministers would not disrupt the government’s work, and proposed a decision-making system for the gridlocked Cabinet. 

Under the plan, if the Cabinet cannot reach a unanimous decision, only the votes of major parties – those who have significant representation in Parliament – will be required to make a decision. Under the current mechanism, decisions must be approved by all 24 ministers. Aoun will also present the proposal to Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

Sources added that the FPM opposed any mechanism which would allow three ministers perceived as loyal to former President Michel Sleiman to maintain their current veto powers, as they have no representation in Parliament.

Aoun reportedly believes that the “bitter reality” of the presidency must not be disregarded, and that any discussion of Cabinet affairs should take it into account.

The sources did not reveal their party’s position on a proposal by other politicians to strictly adhere to Article 65 of the Constitution, which stipulates how Cabinet decisions must be made. The article states that if a unanimous vote cannot be secured, then regular Cabinet decisions may pass by a simple majority, and major ones – as outlined in the article – by a two thirds majority.

According to the FPM sources, the “spiteful” manner adopted by certain ministers toward the signing of Cabinet decrees has pushed Salam to call for a new decision-making system, resulting in the current crisis. As it is not possible to form an alternative Cabinet during the current presidential interregnum, the Cabinet must be revived for new legislation to pass.

The sources added that they did not see any signs indicating that a president would be elected soon. Hariri and Aoun reportedly agreed over dinner that it was necessary for all political parties, particularly Christian ones, to engage in dialogue in order to help facilitate the election of a new president.

FPM sources also said that although there are several issues which must be resolved in preparation for a meeting between Aoun and rival Christian politician Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces Party, they were confident that the dialogue would take place.

Allegedly, the FPM wants the dialogue with the LF to reach solutions “which respect the will of the Lebanese,” suggesting their desired outcome is LF and March 14 backing for Aoun’s presidential bid. Geagea is the official candidate of the March 14 coalition, but has repeatedly said he would give up his candidacy for a consensus president.

Preparatory talks to arrange the meeting are currently ongoing.