Despite some necessary decisions taken at the caretaker Cabinet session that was boycotted by ministers affiliated with President Michel Aoun, the political tensions it left were considerable, almost overthrowing some understandings, particularly between Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement.
There has been no official statement yet on scheduling a second Cabinet session. Still, there are suggestions from Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati's circle that he is entitled to schedule a session when he deems it right and to set its articles.
But how will the Lebanese army officers' annual promotion decree—typically issued at the beginning of the year—be handled? Mikati says he needs to hold a cabinet session.
Then, with the Minister's approval, the Prime Minister will sign the decree on behalf of himself and the Cabinet amid the absence of a President, refusing the signature of the 24 Ministers on a mobile promotion decree.
According to sources following up on the issue, the Prime Minister may solicit opinion and monitor feedback through these hints, but is holding the session an easy task?
If a quorum was secured last time at the last minute, will this time Hezbollah participate in the session? And will the AMAL Movement keep up with it?
According to the ones familiar with Hezbollah's position, holding a session is a challenging process this time; so far, there are no imperatives and pressing issues to hold it, and putting it forward by the Prime Minister would be more difficult.
Hezbollah is willing not to anger anyone and will wait to see whether there are good reasons to hold the session before taking any decision.
Hezbollah will not give a position in advance but tends not to hold the session so as not to embarrass anyone. It may even work to prevent the session from being convened.
The last session of the caretaker government "left scars" in the relationship between Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement and left behind statements, press conferences, and a fierce atmosphere.
There has been no contact between the two parties for about three weeks, only endeavors to calm the situation down.
Will the holidays witness a call between the two parties that contributes to "rekindling" their relationship?
There is a presumption for that. It is expected that President Michel Aoun will be contacted and possibly visited at his residence in a first direct contact since the end of his presidential term.