Premier-designate Saad Hariri presented on Wednesday a new formula to President Michel Aoun and said he was more optimistic that a new government would be formed soon. Sources close to the PM told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hariri’s new proposal allocates four Christian cabinet seats to the Lebanese Forces in addition to a so-called sovereign portfolio, and three Druze ministers to Walid Jumblat’s Progressive Socialist Party. “This pleases all parties, and according to Hariri, it reflects the appropriate representation” of all factions, the sources said, adding that if party leaders had good intentions and there were no external obstacles, then the latest proposal would be adopted. After meeting Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace, Hariri said, “In the coming days we will complete the positive consultations with the president ... hurdles were being overcome.” Refusing to divulge information on his proposal to Aoun, Hariri stressed that the Constitution was clear with regard to the cabinet formation, saying that “no one has the right to interfere in the process.” “Who will benefit from creating disputes between the President and the Prime Minister?” he asked, adding that such problems would not bring any good either to the President, to the Prime Minister or to the country. Meanwhile, Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated during his weekly meeting with lawmakers the need to speed up the formation of the new government to address the current socio-economic situation and to enable Lebanon to fulfill its international obligations, notably concerning the "CEDRE 1" Conference. Visiting deputies quoted Berri as saying that he had no new information regarding the government formation process. Concerning Syrian refugees, the PM reiterated his support to the Russian proposals concerning their return home, as Beirut awaits the visit of a Russian delegation to discuss the issue. “My position from the Syrian regime is clear and remains unchanged,” he said.