Lebanon's Christian party signals no dramatic move on talks over new govt

The leader of one of Lebanon's main Christian parties said on Friday he didn't want to create "artificial optimism" about a breakthrough in talks over a new government, a day after Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said one would be formed soon.

Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Gebran Bassil, in a televised news conference, stuck by his party's existing demands for portfolios in the new unity government. Hariri said on Thursday the new government would be formed within a week to 10 days because the economy could not tolerate further delay.

(With inputs from agencies.)