Lebanon's ruling parliamentary bloc has threatened to walk out of talks aimed at forming a national unity government, an official says. The warning came as Prime Minister Fouad Siniora continued efforts to form a new government after a deal last month between rival politicians and as newly elected President Michel Suleiman admitted some complications. The official from the Future Bloc said the group threatened "to suspend its participation in the consultations to form a government" after one of its supporters was shot and wounded, allegedly by a supporter of the opposition. Tuesday night's attack "is a violation of the Doha accord," he said.
The agreement which was struck May 21 in the Qatari capital between rival Lebanese politicians ended an 18-month crisis. As part of the deal, the political parties agreed not to use arms to settle their differences.
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Michel Suleiman acknowledged that "complications" had emerged but stressed that they will be solved through dialogue. Siniora wrapped up two days of talks with leaders of rival parliamentary blocs on Saturday but gave no date for a new line-up. He has since been holding talks with the main players from the opposition and majority camps.