But if Lahoud objects because he has no share, a prolonged power vacuum would develop at a time the need is getting drastic for a reigning government to handle Syria's intensifying trade war to punish Lebanon for shaking off its 29-year tutelage.

Aoun sealed his cooperation pact with Saad Hariri and Seniora by a visit he made to Koreitem on Sunday, saying from Koreitem's press podium a "final accord for the reconstruction of Lebanon has been reached, which we hope will be durable."

The visit lasted two and ½ hours, including a working lunch. Aoun said he was returning Saad's visit to Rabieh, asserting their personal friendship and confirming that the talks focused on the formation of the new government.

In a later interview with New-TV, Aoun indirectly admitted that his Free Patriotic Movement would get the justice and environment portfolios of the new cabinet while two from his bloc in parliament, Elias Skaff and the Tashnag Party, would have two other seats.

The General said he would meet with Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah shortly, but denied that he has been approached about a meeting with Druze leader Walid Jumblat. As for Saad Hariri, the General called him a "tactful, committed person."

The dispute over the foreign affairs portfolio has been settled by agreement that a moderate Shiite from without the sphere of the Hizbullah-Amal alliance be given the post. Three names are in circulation: Justice Sami Mansour, career diplomat Jihad Murtada and former education and justice minister Asaad Diab.

Barring a Lahoud veto, the new government would go before parliament for a vote of confidence by the weekend, in time to attend the legislature's session on July 18, when a parole bill for Samir Geagea's release from jail may be put forth for a vote. (Naharnet)