Today the main headlines in Kinshasa press are almost exclusively related to the arrival in Congolese capital Thursday of the body of Congolese Catholic Cardinal Frederic Etsou who died in Belgium on 6 January 2007. Also receiving wide coverage in the local newspapers is a statement from the Prime Minister's office giving details regarding the formation of the soon-to-come government.

Citing the statement Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga published yesterday, Le Phare reports: "The consultations over Cabinet formation continue" as Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga "needs more time."

The Prime Minister has "enlightened the public" on the formation of the Cabinet, notes Le Palmarès, referring to Mr Gizenga's Thursday statement. As quoted in this paper, the statement reads in part: "The proposed size [60 members] of the government being formed responds not only to political considerations relating to the nature of this government but also to the shared will of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the members of the coalition, to see all sectors of national life receive adequate attention from those in power."

Commenting on the same statement, La Référence Plus writes: "It is likely the announced size of the government remains open to further discussions and revision." Besides, "negotiations, discussions and meetings continue to take place," this paper notes, adding there is a "commitment is made to ensure the upcoming government does not live above the Republic's means."

"A government's size alone cannot mean an excessive operating cost, "points out Le Phare, arguing that "a small government may turn out to be more of a spendthrift than a bigger one."

In other news, L'Avenir and all other newspapers alike report on Thursday's arrival in the Congolese capital of the body of Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Frederic Etsou who died in Belgium on 6 January 2007. "A [funeral] Mass will be celebrated at the stadium of the Martyrs [on Sunday]...prior to burial at the Cathedral of Kinshasa on Monday, 15 January."