Judicial Reshuffle Sparks Minority Reaction
A major reshuffle of judicial posts has sparked reactions from the minority March 8 Forces, with Hizbullah voicing reservations and the Free Patriotic Movement of Michel Aoun and AMAL Movement criticizing the measure.
Social Affairs Minister Mario Aoun, who is also an official of the FPM, has slammed the reshuffle, which was approved by President Michel Suleiman on Friday.
Aoun wondered why the decree was issued ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
"This issue will lead to problems. The Justice Minister (Ibrahim Najjar) who made the appointments is not neutral. He belongs to a political party that has its political, judiciary and legislative interests," Aoun has said.
Hizbullah and AMAL Movement also criticized the move.
While Hizbullah claimed the reshuffle has been "politicized," AMAL Movement MP Ali Bazzi said that "it seems not all issues are agreed upon through consensus."
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, however, has decided not to interfere.
"I did not examine [the reshuffle] after it had been issued. I know nothing about it and I will not interfere," Berri told An Nahar from Muscat.
An Nahar also cited ministerial sources in the ruling March 14 coalition as saying that the "Aounist" criticism is based on personal motives.
The sources said the FPM argued that Beirut and Mount Lebanon judicial posts were not what the Aounists had wished for.