PM-designate Hariri Vows to Launch Wide-Ranging Consultations to Form Efficient Cabinet
Saad Hariri said following his reappointment premier-designate on Wednesday that he would launch consultations with all parties following Eid al-Fitr holiday and form an "efficient and harmonious" cabinet that respects the constitution and the results of the parliamentary polls.
Hariri was reappointed Wednesday after he stepped down from the post last week over rising tension with the opposition. He was called on by President Michel Suleiman to form a government after 73 lawmakers nominated him to the post, a presidential statement said.
"Following consultations with the speaker of parliament and MPs … the president has called on Saad Hariri to form a government," it added.
In his acceptance speech at Baabda palace, the designated premier hinted that he would take a tougher stand in dealing with his rivals” demands while insisting he was open to dialogue.
"The conditions they set in the first phase blocked the possibility of forming a national unity government," Hariri told reporters. "We now face a new challenge, and I do not want to make empty promises.
"The promise I make to myself, before God and before the Lebanese is to respect the constitution, work to ensure the widest participation possible in government and continue dialogue," he added.
Speaker Nabih Berri and his allies in the opposition, except for the Tashnag party, abstained from naming anyone for the premiership during two days of parliamentary consultations at Baabda palace.
Berri”s parliamentary bloc had voted in favor of Hariri”s first appointment following the June vote.
Hariri has accused his political rivals of blocking efforts to unlock a continuing political stalemate over the new cabinet. Hizbullah and its allies however insist that the line-up proposed by Hariri is not acceptable.
Following his appointment, Hariri also thanked those who rejected to nominate him, saying such a stance gives a clear picture of the parliamentary status-quo and helps decide which direction dialogue is going to take.