A two-day consultation to choose a new prime minister began on Monday. Najib Mikati is a candidate for the premiership supported by the Shia movement Hezbollah and its allies who have 57 seats in parliament.

Jumblatt and six members of his 11-member bloc backed Mikati. Along with Mikati's own vote, that would give the Sunni politician the support of 65 members of the 128-member assembly.