BEIRUT: With the efforts to form a government stalled, the March 14 Forces reiterated on Monday their refusal to grant the opposition veto power in the next Cabinet, while Speaker Nabih Berri repeated his demands for "real partnership in decision making." Meanwhile, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun reiterated on Monday his demand for proportional representation inside the new cabinet.

Tackling Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's proposals regarding the upcoming cabinet, Future Movement MP Ahmad Fatfat told The Daily Star on Monday that Hariri was willing to grant the opposition "effective participation in decision-making but no veto power while granting President Michel Sleiman the balancing vote."

"The March 14 win in the June 7 elections by a majority of parliamentary seats should be reflected in the Cabinet by being granted a majority of seats as well," Fatfat said.

Fatfat said Hariri's latest discussions focused on the formation of the upcoming national-unity cabinet, however, deliberations didn't tackle the government's make-up.

When asked about the divergence in statements between Berri and Aoun, Fatfat underscored that the opposition was united in its demand for veto power.

"Given the latest statements by opposition figures. including [Marada Movement leader] Sleiman Franjieh and [former Minister] Wiam Wahhab demanding the blocking third, I assume they are distributing roles," Fatfat said.

Fatfat stressed that granting the opposition veto power contradicted the Taif Accord, adding that the opposition was trying to "reimpose the expired Doha agreement."

"Qatari officials announced that the Doha agreement had expired, but nonetheless the opposition is still trying to enforce it rather than implementing the Taif Accord," he said.

Conversely, sources close to Berri told The Daily Star on Monday that the speaker was calling for a national-unity cabinet that guaranteed partnership.

The source added that under no circumstances did the speaker demand veto power during discussions to form a cabinet.

The source said Berri highlighted during talks with President Michel Sleiman on Monday the need to form a national-unity cabinet that guarantees real partnership in decision making.

The source stressed that Berri would facilitate "through all possible means" Hariri's task to reach an agreement on the structure of the next cabinet. "Berri's only demand is that the government make-up ensures real partnership among Lebanese groups," the source said.

The source added that Berri discussed with Sleiman on Monday the latest developments on the Lebanese political scene, prior to the president's two-day participation in the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Egypt.

Following his unannounced visit to the Baabda Palace, Berri told reporters on Monday that "total discretion" was the best way to succeed at forming the upcoming cabinet.

"Discretion is the best way to reach goals," Berri said.

Also on Monday, caretaker Prime Minister Fouad Siniora held talks with Sleiman.

Siniora told reporters that the formation of the cabinet was Hariri and Sleiman's responsibility. "We should not tackle the issue [in the media]," he said.

Meanwhile, Aoun reiterated on Monday his demand for proportional representation, however he denied that the opposition was seeking to obstruct the government decision-making process. "We don't seek obstruction in the next government and such prejudices by some March 14 figures are a distortion of the truth," Aoun told reporters.

"If the premier-designate faces obstruction in the upcoming cabinet, he can resign from his post," Aoun added.

Aoun, who also voiced support for Hariri, said he hoped for the cabinet formation would succeed "away from foreign intervention."

Commenting on March 14 groups' criticism of his calls for proportional representation, Aoun said figures of the alliance "only craved power at the expense of the country's growth."

Meanwhile, Phalange Party head Amin Gemayel announced on Monday that the parliamentary majority can form a government "on its own if the opposition rejects Hariri's proposals."

Following talks with Italian Ambassador Gabriel Checchia, Gemayel said "the majority can govern alone, however the participation of any opposition group is welcome."

He added that the parliamentary majority was willing to "provide Lebanese parties with certain guarantees and to ensure special relations between Lebanon and Syria."

Meanwhile, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt stressed on Monday that both the opposition and the majority should refrain from tying Hariri to any conditions regarding the cabinet make-up.

He also called on parties to voice political support for Hariri by "toning down their rhetoric" about the deliberations.

Jumblatt added that the government make-up should be based on partnership according to principles of the Taif Accord.

Concerning Lebanese-Syrian ties, Jumblatt called for "special relations with Syria given that the two neighbors refrain from interfering in each other domestic affairs."

President Bashar Assad told visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that Syria didn't set any pre-conditions on the cabinet's formation according to the pan-Arab daily Ash-Sharq al-Awsat.

Citing a high-ranking French official, the paper said Assad dealt "openly" with issues raised by Kouchner regarding Lebanon. "Assad believed that obstacles delaying the advancement in Lebanese-Syrian ties no longer exist, given that Syria maintains communications with all Lebanese groups."