Aoun”s Impossible Demands Hamper Government Formation
MP Michel Aoun”s demands are proving to be the sticky point that will impede a speedy distribution of ministerial portfolios after the parliamentary majority and the opposition agreed on a new government formula.
Informed sources told the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily that a meeting Friday between premier-designate Saad Hariri and Minister Jebran Bassil "did not offer a practical outcome except that both leaders agreed to maintain positive communication." They said that Bassil had "gradually" proposed Aoun”s demands, including a distribution of his share among one Armenian minister from the Tashnag and four Maronite ministers and one of the four main portfolios, either the interior or financial ministry.
Al-Hayat quoted the sources as saying that Aoun decided to specify the two ministries following "reports that Hariri will give the telecoms portfolio to a member of al-Mustaqbal Movement or to one of his allies." They said that Hariri was "astonished" by Aoun”s demands replying "why don”t you take my place and form the government? You act as if you won the elections while I sit aside and watch."
Aoun, however, "was more inclined toward the interior ministry in an indication he wanted to take one of president Suleiman”s main portfolios, which also include the defense ministry."
They also said Aoun was not insisting on the finance ministry because he knew "Hariri would never give it up especially that the financial deals, loans and financial aid that Lebanon could receive are largely linked to the fact that the portfolio would belong to a minister of the premier-designate”s choice."
The sources expected "Hizbullah to play a role in convincing Aoun to soften his position."
Meanwhile, the Lebanese daily An Nahar quoted sources as saying that contacts among majority forces "lead to a coordinated position regarding portfolios."