BEIRUT, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Hezbollah leader said Sunday that restoring relations with Syria should not be a precondition to form a government, according to local TV channel.
"The debate over the relations with Syria can wait until the formation of the new government during a meeting for the council of ministers," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on OTV.
Lebanon's Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri has been trying to form a 30-member national unity government for the past three months but facing rifts among rival politicians over the representation of the main Christian parties, as well as the Druze sect.
Also, politicians have been divided over whether Lebanon should engage directly with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Hariri, a long-time supporter of the Syrian opposition, announced earlier in Aug. that his unwillingness to visit Syria or meet with Assad under any circumstances, even if that would cost him his position.
However, Nasrallah, whose party is an ally of Syrian President, said that the relation with Syria can be discussed at a later time, urging political parties to speed up the formation of the government.
"The difficult economic situation and regional circumstances do not allow us to wait more until the new government is formed," he said.
Some media outlets reported the government formation is delayed on purpose because the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will issue a verdict in September in the case of the assassination of late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, which will impact the distribution of cabinet shares.
The Hezbollah leader said that "I would like to tell these people that STL is of no value at all for Hezbollah. Hezbollah will not be intimidated by any decision made by STL."
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, aims at assuming more influence in the next government to counter U.S. campaign against Tehran and its regional allies.
