Hitting Impasse Again: Aoun Insists on Bassil or No Government
After six weeks of strenuous efforts to form a national unity government, Cabinet lineup once again stalled as Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun insisted on the appointment of his son-in-law Jebran Bassil in the new Cabinet.
Even many in the majority and the Opposition have only been united Wednesday on the feeling that Cabinet formation is at a near-standstill.
On Wednesday, Aoun said he believed there is no deal on a government formation, at least in the time being.
He insisted that Bassil be given a portfolio in the new government "since the (March 14) stance taken from this issue has become a challenge, and if I abandon this demand, they would say I gave up under pressure."
Not only that, Aoun is also adamant about getting a key Cabinet seat in addition to services portfolios.
Amidst the worsening situation, both Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri have refrained from making any statements.
Sources from the majority March 14 coalition told An-Nahar newspaper in remarks published Thursday that Hariri and President Michel Suleiman insist on not appointing losers in the 2009 parliamentary elections.
Hizbullah, however, appears to be backing Aoun in his demand to appoint Bassil, An-Nahar reported.
March 14 circles said Suleiman deemed the escalation was against him in the wake of Aoun”s greediness for the interior ministry and the appointment of election losers, Bassil one of them.
Aoun circles, meanwhile, believed that the majority was "concealing its inner crisis" by throwing the problem on the FPM leader.
Senior al-Mustaqbal Movement sources held Aoun responsible for the continued delay in government formation.
In turn, the Opposition blames Hariri for not presenting a "clear and comprehensive outlook for the distribution of portfolios."
As-Safir daily said Hariri has asked Berri to identify the names of ministers who will represent his Development and Liberation bloc.
Al-Akhbar newspaper, for its part, said Hariri has leaked a "tentative outlook for a Cabinet lineup," which grants Druze leader Walid Jumblat the ministry of public works in addition to a secondary portfolio, while Aoun gets a state ministry and four other seats, including the education ministry instead of telecommunications "with a negative stance on Bassil."
As-Safir said Jumblat was acting on grounds that the public works portfolio is definitely his share and that giving it to the Lebanese Forces was impossible.