Sources close to the Lebanese Prime Minister-designate told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that Saad Hariri would remain in his mission to form the new government despite a decision to remain mum. “Talks about a possible Hariri resignation are completely false,” the sources said, adding that the PM-designate is attached to his stances and would not give up his task to form the cabinet. Hariri’s recent silence is a sign that he is not responsible for delaying the government line-up amid calls for the formation of a cabinet with limited seats over fears that the vacuum might lead to street clashes. “When Hariri tweeted recently that silence is necessary for others to listen, he was indirectly saying that he is not the cause of the problem,” the sources explained. Other sources informed about the cabinet formation process told Asharq Al-Awsat that several parties were responsible for the delay, saying “caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil had spoiled the last deal when he was quick to announce that Jawad Adra would join President Michel Aoun’s ministerial share and not the share of Hezbollah’s allies.” The pro-Hezbollah March 8 alliance held Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), responsible for the government delay. Parties had agreed to nominate Adra as a representative for the Consultative Gathering from Aoun’s shares, but the Gathering withdrew from the deal after asking Adra to only represent the six Sunni deputies and not the President. Commenting on the distribution of ministerial shares, the sources denied rumors that Hariri wants to appoint a Maronite minister from his share. “Hariri accepts to have a minister from any Christian sect, and not particularly a Maronite,” the source said. On Thursday, the six Sunni deputies from the pro-Hezbollah Consultative Gathering alliance renewed their call to participate in a national unity government by naming a minister who represents them. Caretaker Minister of Education Marwan Hamadeh said that external and internal factors were hindering the formation of the government, calling for a compromise immediately after the New Year. Warning that the vacuum could lead to street clashes, the Minister urged Aoun and Hariri to find a quick solution to the stalemate. For his part, FPMs MP, Chamel Roukoz, called for the formation of a mini-government of 14 ministers to salvage Lebanon "which can no longer afford polarization.” "Such a cabinet could be held accountable via Parliament and the major blocs it represents," he added.