Lebanese President Michel Aoun began on Monday a series of consultations aimed at speeding up the government formation efforts, reported the National News Agency. He kicked off these consultations by holding talks at the Baabda presidential palace with Speaker Nabih Berri, who left the meeting without making a statement. He then held talks with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, who refused to divulge details of the discussions to reporters. “Whenever I tell you anything, the formation efforts become obstructed,” he informed them after meeting Aoun. “Some sides want to form a government and others do not. The president and I want to the formation of a cabinet,” he added. “The president will carry on with his consultations and we will continue to communicate with him,” Hariri stated. Asked if concessions could be made, he replied: “This is what Hezbollah is demanding and it has tossed the ball in my court. I have no problem with that. Everyone knows what is acceptable and unacceptable for me. We are negotiating over some issues.” Government formation is often a drawn-out process in Lebanon, where a complex governing system seeks to maintain a precarious balance of power between its various political and religious communities. Hezbollah has pushed for Sunni politicians allied to its movement, but opposed to Hariri to be represented in the future cabinet. Hariri has refused to give up a portfolio that would otherwise go to his own party. Asked if he will be held responsible for the failure to reach a solution, Hariri replied: “Everyone will be held accountable.”