Jumblat: No to Three 10s, No to Veto Powers

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat dealt a blow to demands by the Hizbullah-led opposition for veto powers in any government to be formed after the election of a new president.

 

Jumblat told as-Safir Daily that such a veto power would “strip the president of his powers and escalate Sunni-Shiite sensitivities. It has been rejected and it is rejected” by the March 14 majority alliance.

 

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had said the presidential election would not be held if the opposition does not get veto powers in the forthcoming cabinet.

 

He also knocked down an interpretation by the opposition of a clause included in the Arab initiative that calls for the formation of a government representing the various political factions on the base of three equal quarters, often referred to as 10+10+10.

 

“The majority would not accept this (concept),” Jumblat said.