BEIRUT: A new Cabinet cannot be formed unless Lebanon’s politicians resolve a number of contentious issues, a Future Movement official said Monday.

"Matters are difficult and complicated concerning Cabinet formation," Mustafa Alloush told Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5).

complications are at the "tip of the iceberg," he continued.

Meanwhile, Change and Reform MP Hikmat Deeb said in a morning talk show on LBCI that "agreements have been made on fundamental issues."

However, disagreements remain on "minor details," he added.

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that disputes over the distribution of ministerial portfolios indicate that political rivals "favor their personal interests over that of the state."

He noted that Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri "made big compromises including the election of [President] Michel Aoun on condition that the Cabinet would be formed within a week of his election."

Derbas blamed Hariri and Aoun for the delay in Cabinet formation, and believes that the PM-designate will "make further settlements to accelerate [an agreement] on his Cabinet lineup."

Hariri’s attempts to form a new Cabinet have been impeded by overlapping demands of political rivals over the distribution of ministerial portfolios.