June 30, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1429

BEIRUT, June 29: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman pressed on Sunday for the creation of a national unity cabinet within 48 hours after weeks of protracted negotiations between political rivals.

“All parties must cooperate immediately to enable the establishment of the government,” Sleiman said, according to a statement from his office.

“Mr Sleiman stressed the importance of forming the government in 48 hours,” the statement said, adding that there was “no reason to justify” the delay.

Prime Minister Fuad Siniora has been tasked with creating a unity government following a deal struck by rival factions in the Qatari capital Doha more than five weeks ago to end a crisis that brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war.

But the western-backed parliamentary majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition continue to squabble over the distribution of key portfolios in the new 30-member government. Under the Doha accord, Sleiman was elected president on May 25.

The constitution sets no deadline for forming a government once a premier has been named, nor does it provide a mechanism for withdrawing the mandate of an unsuccessful prime minister-designate.

Arab League chief also warned in an interview published on Sunday that Lebanon was nearing a dangerous “red line” in its failure to set up the government.

“We are waiting to see how Lebanese politicians deal with the question of forming the cabinet under extremely dangerous circumstances that have known repercussions,” he said.—AFP