Sleiman, Siniora take fresh crack at distribution of portfolios
Geagea: "Premier Not Aoun represents Lebanon”s Christians political agenda"
President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora have reportedly initiated "new moves" with respect to distributing portfolios in the new government in an attempt to put and end to the ongoing crisis. The fresh efforts also coincided with a telephone conversation on Wednesday between Siniora”s adviser Mohammad Shattah, and Free Patriotic Movement official Gibran Bassil.
The meeting between Shattah and Bassil was reportedly aimed at discussing solutions to ending the deadlock.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea said on Wednesday that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun was the main obstacle to forming the new cabinet.
"Aoun considers himself to be the only representative of Christians and therefore thinks he has the right to control the Christian quota in the next cabinet," Geagea said.
"Aoun”s judgment is invalid because it is based on the results of the 2005 parliamentary elections … I believe that it is Siniora who represents the christians political agenda," he added.
"Aoun refers to the 2005 elections to say he represents the majority of Christians, but at the same time he does not accept the results of the elections by not recognizing the parliamentary majority."
Geagea said he was in favor of giving the security-related interior and defense portfolios to the president.
He urged Siniora and Sleiman to make up their minds as soon as possible and come up with a formula for cabinet.
"We cannot leave the country without a government for the simple reason that were are unable to give Aoun a portfolio that satisfies him."
As for the issue of the new electoral law, Geagea criticized Aoun for "using" this issue to claim "false victories."
"A number of lawmakers from Aoun”s bloc rushed to Parliament recently and presented a draft proposal on adopting the amended version of the 1960 electoral law for next year”s parliamentary polls … they were simply presenting a draft proposal on something that all parties have already agreed to … what kind of achievement is that?" Geagea asked.
The LF chief also urged Sleiman to call for a national dialogue to address the security situation in the country.
Geagea said such a dialogue was necessary even in the absence of a new cabinet.
Leaders of Lebanon”s different religious groups met at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday in an effort to bring about peace between the country”s different communities after rounds or raging violence.
Also on Wednesday, the March 14 camp accused Hizbullah of executing a plan aimed at nullifying the Doha deal.
A March 14 statement said Hizbullah”s plan includes eliminating the security item of the Doha agreement with respect to prohibiting the use of arms to achieve political goals.
"The plan also includes attaching the formation of the new government to a number of conditions, which if accepted by the parliamentary majority, will lead to Hizbullah”s control over key security posts," it added.
The March 14 Forces reiterated their commitment to the Doha agreement and called on all Arab states which brokered the agreement "to intervene to save it from collapsing."