BEIRUT:

Lebanon’s president said on Thursday a government would be formed very soon as political parties intensified negotiations to break a deadlock more than five months after elections.

A government source told Reuters the government is expected to be formed during the weekend.

Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri has been negotiating with Lebanon’s rival parties since a parliamentary election in May to form a new power-sharing cabinet, but they have so far been unable to reach consensus.

Asked by reporters on Thursday if a government would be agreed on, President Michel Aoun replied: “Yes, the government will be very soon or sooner.”