Suleiman-Aoun Lunch … No Change in Stances on Cabinet Lineup
A meeting over lunch Tuesday between President Michel Suleiman, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and Telecoms Minister Jebran Bassil did not lead to any changes regarding a Cabinet lineup.
While sources at Baabda Palace told the daily an-Nahar that the atmosphere was "positive," al-Liwaa newspaper said the meeting did not succeed in "softening the stances" of Aoun, who continued to hold on to his demands.
Al-Akhbar newspaper, for its part, said the meeting focused on how to "manage the crisis."
It quoted FPM sources as saying that Suleiman and Aoun agreed to continue opting for dialogue in an atmosphere of calm.
Suleiman, according to the daily As-Safir, told Aoun that during a meeting with an Opposition delegation in Beiteddine last week, he stressed on the need for March 8 forces to name its ministers.
Suleiman reportedly notified Aoun that he is neither against Bassil”s reappointment nor against giving the Opposition the telecommunications ministry.