French Foreign Minister Bernard Koushner said he hopes the new government will be formed soon.
                     
And after meeting with several political leaders - Lebanese FM Fawzi Salloukh, President Sleiman, Speaker Berri, outgoing PM Fouad Sanioura, PM-designate Saad Hariri and MP Walid Jumblatt - he said that the meetings were positive and encouraging, adding that he is “somewhat optimistic”. 

The French FM also said he believes shares in the cabinet will be granted according to the 15-10-5 formula – which grants the majority 15 ministerial seats, the opposition 10 and the president five. 
 
"Syria is now wiser than ever, it respected its promise and did not interfere in the cabinet formation," stressed Kouchner adding that the regional mood is positive, highlighting the importance of the recent Saudi-Syrian rapprochement.

He said he believes that external factors, rather than internal ones, are delaying the cabinet formation.