Calm Response to Aoun”s Demands which Stalled Cabinet Formation Anew
Lebanese leaders took a clam and measured response to Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun”s fiery demands that were set out at a harshest ever political campaign in which the former army general challenged President Michel Suleiman and demanded the interior ministry as well as maintaining his old conditions, including the appointment of his son-in-law Jebran Bassil.
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said in a swift response to Aoun that government formation is achieved in line with the Constitution.
A statement issued by Hariri”s press office said the task of Cabinet formation was the responsibility of the PM-designate in cooperation with President Michel Suleiman.
Aoun on Monday set out new conditions, demanding the interior ministry which is Suleiman”s share.
An-Nahar daily on Tuesday said Speaker Nabih Berri has expressed dismay at the criticism campaigns and the exchange of reactions between Opposition leaders, a reference to Aoun, and Hariri.
Berri, according to An-Nahar, believed a Hariri-Aoun "dialogue" should take place as soon as possible as political wrangling "does not facilitate the birth of the long-awaited government."
Opposition circles, meanwhile, told An-Nahar that both Hizbullah and AMAL movement ignored Aoun”s latest stances, an indication that Aoun has "exceeded the Opposition”s expectations in terms of damaging the basics of a settlement to the Cabinet issue."
As-Safir newspaper, however, believed that Hariri” in his response and Aoun in his attack still "left the door open" for dialogue.
The daily al-Liwaa, for its part, citing well-informed political sources, said Aoun”s press conference has returned Lebanon to the same political scene it had witnessed prior to presidential elections, a reference to the FPM leader”s "obstructing" role at the time.
The sources said Hizbullah”s reaction to Aoun”s stances does not suggest his "readiness to assume responsibility in helping find or facilitate a settlement."
They did not rule out a meeting between Hariri and Hizbullah to discuss Cabinet formation.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said contacts were underway among leaders of the March 14 forces in preparation for an expanded meeting to take a stance on Cabinet formation in the wake of recent developments.