LEBANON: AGREEMENT ON CABINET EXPANSION

Stratfor
March 22 2007

An agreement has been reached in principle between Lebanese parliament
majority leader Saad al-Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
regarding the expansion of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s Cabinet,
sources said March 22. Berri’s opposition alliance will endorse
the tribunal in exchange for one-third plus one veto power in the
Cabinet. The agreement’s announcement is awaiting a Saudi commitment
to ensure the expanded Cabinet will not become polarized.

The new Cabinet is expected to consist of 30 members as follows: six
Maronites, six Sunnis, six Shia, four Greek Orthodox, three Druze,
three Catholics and two Armenians.