Jumblat”s Remarks Could Have Repercussions for March 14
Speaker Nabih Berri said that remarks by MP Walid Jumblat on terminating his alliance with March 14 forces could have repercussions for the ruling majority coalition.
"I expect MP Jumblat”s stance to have repercussions for March 14," given his major weight in the alliance, Berri told the daily As Safir in remarks published Monday.
He believed that a one-third guarantor within the government was no longer valid since Jumblat”s three Cabinet seats "will not be calculated on the majority."
Berri, in separate remarks published by pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, said he was still optimistic about the formation of a national unity government "as soon as possible."
He stressed there were no obstacles facing the Cabinet lineup.
"I have said that the parliamentary elections will open a new political phase and that we will reach agreement on a formula on government formation that does not distinguish between March 8 and March 14 forces.
"This is what is happening now, not just at Jumblat”s level, but at the level of most of the main political parties."