Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian and Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on Lebanese officials to speed up the formation of the government, amid reports on an imminent agreement over a cabinet of unity and consensus and a wide political rejection of a majority-based formula. Speaking on Sunday during the inauguration of a mosque in the village of Ketermaya in the region of Iqlim al-Kharroub, Derian underlined the dire need for a new government especially with the pressing socio-economic situation. “We have a precious opportunity that requires us to rebuild our homeland and strengthen our unity through cooperation with our Arab brothers, who are waiting for us to form a government of consensus and national harmony,” he said. The Mufti called on all political parties to “facilitate the cabinet formation process” and “to be realistic in their demands.” He urged politicians to facilitate Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s mission, saying “we must get rid of the political instability and economic recession in the country.” In his Sunday sermon in Diman, the Maronite patriarch criticized the political parties for their dispute over specific ministerial portfolios.  “What is the justification for the failure to form a new government? Isn’t it because of sharing interests and competing over ministerial portfolios at the expense of the public interests?” Rahi asked. “What prevents Lebanon from following the path of development, growth and prosperity is the personal calculations and narrow interests of the Lebanese officials,” he added. Meanwhile, as some politicians have hinted at the possibility to form a government based on parliamentary majority, especially the head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, both Hezbollah and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) have renewed their support to form a unity government. Hezbollah’s Sheikh Nabil Qaouq said all the Lebanese would be harmed by the stalemate. He also criticized attempts to “engage in new adventures to reverse political equations.” He stressed that Hezbollah was seeking to communicate with the different political parties to speed up the formation of a government that would be based on “national unity away from marginalization.” The PSP’s Democratic Gathering bloc stressed its commitment to receive the full Druze share in the government and its rejection of a majority-based cabinet. Democratic Gathering MP Hadi Abul Hassan said: “We will never compromise our rights…. despite all attempts to compel us to form a de facto government.” On the other hand, Strong Lebanon bloc MP Ibrahim Kenaan said there were signs on a possible solution to the current crisis. In a television interview, he said all obstacles "can be solved because the national interest requires the representation of all sides depending on their size, while maintaining diversity.