Aoun and Berri exchanged accusations of violating the Constitution to further worsen the process to form a new government capable of taking the country out of the worst financial and economic crisis in decades.

These tensions add pressure to the already existing discrepancy between the Lebanese head of State and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, who differ in the distribution of positions in the future executive.

The head of Parliament criticized Aoun for alleged attempts to force Hariri’s resignation and get away with appointing two Christian politicians to the next ministerial formation.

Berri advocates the formation of a 24-ministry cabinet and an equitable distribution among Christians, Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims.

However, the president, his son-in-law Gebran Bassil leading the Free Patriotic Movement party, and other religious representatives do not accept that proposal, because the Christian sector would be at a disadvantage.

pgh/iff/agp/arc