New offers were reportedly made to Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun in yet another attempt to end the five-week-old government crisis.

The daily An Nahar, citing well-informed sources, said Saniora offered Aoun a "compromise formula" such as the Free Patriotic Movement leader picks one of two service-related cabinet portfolios – telecommunications or public works – while the other goes to a person accepted and not chosen by him.

An Nahar quoted local observers as saying they expect Aoun to come out with a "flexible stance" regarding that offer.

It said President Michel Suleiman also seemed "neither frustrated nor pessimistic" over a speedy formation of the cabinet.

The daily said there is a chance that the cabinet will be announced soon, particularly in light of Suleiman's July 12 visit to Paris – or else the president will have to cancel his trip.

Meanwhile, the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat spoke of a separate offer. It said Suleiman has demanded the intervention of Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in an effort to break the deadlock over the cabinet make-up in view of Aoun's requests.

It said an offer was made by Franjieh followed by another one made by Berri's aide Ali Hasan Khalil suggesting that Aoun gets three and not four portfolios – telecommunications, public works and industry – plus a state minister.

The offer suggests that the ministries of economy and public works would be given to non-Aounists, while an Armenian minister affiliated with Aoun's parliamentary bloc would be given a state minister post and Issam Abu Jamra would make a grab for deputy premier.