Jumblat for Reunion with Aoun, Seeks to Convene Hariri-Berri Meeting to Facilitate Cabinet Deal
With government formation entering its third week amid no signs of a deal on Cabinet, contacts intensified, particularly between Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and PM-designate Saad Hariri in an effort to facilitate a speedy Cabinet lineup.
Al-Liwaa newspaper said a meeting between Jumblat and Hariri late Tuesday was "the beginning of a joint move," particularly toward the Opposition seeking clarification of its stance on veto power, and also toward the March 14 coalition seeking explanation of its position that the majority should govern according to the results of the parliamentary elections.
Political sources said this move came upon the request of President Michel Suleiman who met on Monday with Berri and asked him to facilitate Cabinet formation.
The daily As Safir, however, said Jumblat has been exerting efforts to hold a meeting between Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, "benefiting from a Saudi climate that is encouraging the Premier-designate to move in this direction."
Jumblat”s bids, according to As Safir, are likely to produce a meeting between Hariri and Berri "in order to launch serious talks" that would lead to a speedy formation of a national unity government.
Jumblat told As Safir that Berri has informed him of his willingness to meet Hariri, stressing that he "does not mind" meeting Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun.
While Jumblat expressed "extreme satisfaction," he did not conceal his fear of a "Sunni-Shiite discord."