Beirut - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday presented a 30-member cabinet lineup to President Michel Suleiman in order to form a much-delayed government across the country's sectarian lines. Speaking following talks at Suleiman's summer residence in Beiteddine, south-east of Beirut, Hariri said: "I presented President Michel Suleiman a national unity cabinet lineup of 30 ministers based on 15-10-5," referring to the ratio of the parliamentary majority, the Hezbollah led-opposition, and independents respectively.
The formula takes into consideration the sectarian balance in the country and respects the results of the June 7 parliamentary elections, he said.
"President Suleiman informed me he would study the lineup that I presented to him to see whether he would sign the (cabinet) formation decree," Hariri told reporters.
The opposition-led by Shiite militant group Hezbollah had hinted at rejecting the new proposal, accusing Hariri of trying to impose a government by force.
Appointed prime minister in late June, parliamentary majority leader Hariri has been struggling to reach agreement with the opposition on the new government.
At the core of the dispute are the demands of Christian leader and Hezbollah ally Michel Aoun to be given a greater share in the government as his is the largest Christian party in parliament.
Hariri has refused to allow Jubran Bassil, Aoun's son-in-law, to keep his post as telecommunications minister.
