Rivals dig in heels over cabinet formation
Hariri “not willing” to give opposition veto power
With the efforts to form a government stalled, the March 14 Forces reiterated on Monday their refusal to grant the opposition veto power in the next Cabinet, while Speaker Nabih Berri repeated his demands for "real partnership in decision making." Meanwhile, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun reiterated on Monday his demand for proportional representation inside the new cabinet.
Tackling Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri”s proposals regarding the upcoming cabinet, Future Movement MP Ahmad Fatfat told The Daily Star on Monday that Hariri was willing to grant the opposition "effective participation in decision-making but no veto power while granting President Michel Sleiman the balancing vote."
"The March 14 win in the June 7 elections by a majority of parliamentary seats should be reflected in the Cabinet by being granted a majority of seats as well," Fatfat said.
Fatfat said Hariri”s latest discussions focused on the formation of the upcoming national-unity cabinet, however, deliberations didn”t tackle the government”s make-up.
When asked about the divergence in statements between Berri and Aoun, Fatfat underscored that the opposition was united in its demand for veto power.
"Given the latest statements by opposition figures. including [Marada Movement leader] Sleiman Franjieh and [former Minister] Wiam Wahhab demanding the blocking third, I assume they are distributing roles," Fatfat said.
Fatfat stressed that granting the opposition veto power contradicted the Taif Accord, adding that the opposition was trying to "reimpose the expired Doha agreement."
"Qatari officials announced that the Doha agreement had expired, but nonetheless the opposition is still trying to enforce it rather than implementing the Taif Accord," he said.
Conversely, sources close to Berri told The Daily Star on Monday that the speaker was calling for a national-unity cabinet that guaranteed partnership.
The source added that under no circumstances did the speaker demand veto power during discussions to form a cabinet.
The source said Berri highlighted during talks with President Michel Sleiman on Monday the need to form a national-unity cabinet that guarantees real partnership in decision making.
The source stressed that Berri would facilitate "through all possible means" Hariri”s task to reach an agreement on the structure of the next cabinet. "Berri”s only demand is that the government make-up ensures real partnership among Lebanese groups," the source said.
The source added that Berri discussed with Sleiman on Monday the latest developments on the Lebanese political scene, prior to the president”s two-day participation in the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Egypt.
Following his unannounced visit to the Baabda Palace, Berri told reporters on Monday that "total discretion" was the best way to succeed at forming the upcoming cabinet.