Hariri Pleads with Opposition “Be Reasonable” as he Multiplies Efforts to Form Cabinet before Sept. 23
After efforts to form a unity government dwindled following the PM-designate”s unfruitful meeting with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, Cabinet creation picked up momentum again when Saad Hariri vowed to do everything possible to make sure Lebanon has a government ahead of President Michel Suleiman”s New York visit on September 23.
Hariri said he would resume talks with the various political leaders, stressing, however, that the need for every person to bear his responsibility.
"We are about to form a new government that comes in the wake of parliamentary elections in which March 14 forces emerged victorious," Hariri told an iftar in Qoreitem.
"And we have said from the beginning that despite winning these elections, logic says that we stretch a hand to our partners in the nation," he added.
Hariri emphasized the need to form a Cabinet that includes the various political leaders, saying: "Genuine partnership must be based on the logic that says: “After relinquishing many (privileges) during parliamentary elections, the other side should meet us with reasonable demands."
Meanwhile, Ad-Diyar newspaper, citing well-informed sources, said Hariri will present a new Cabinet to Suleiman for approval on Monday.
It is up to Suleiman, however, to endorse the government or not.
Pan-Arab al-Hayat daily, for its part, said Suleiman has encouraged Hizbullah to facilitate Hariri”s latest initiative regarding government formation.
It said Suleiman does not mind Hariri going ahead with his initiative, although he prefers consensus over a Cabinet lineup that would not lead to the withdrawal of Hizbullah and AMAL in the event the premier-designate formed a well-balanced government that could be rejected by Aoun.