Cabinet Formation following Syrian-Saudi Summit is “Not Likely”
Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra told NOW on Tuesday that forming a new government after the Saudi-Syrian summit is “unlikely,” adding that it is postponed until “talks between Iran and the international community on the formers nuclear drive are clear.” However, the prevailing “positive atmosphere” suggests that a cabinet could be formed soon, said Zahra.
“The March 8 coalition is trying to fool the public by blaming the majority for the obstruction [of the cabinet formation] and by exaggerating the impact of the Arab reconciliation” on Lebanon, Zahra said.
He also said that the 15-10-5 cabinet formula “is no longer binding,” after the opposition ignored it in Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s first tenure, adding that he expects the names of prospective ministers to be the next controversial issue.
Zahra refused to comment on President Michel Sleiman’s position pertaining to the appointment of defeated candidates to ministerial positions, saying that he does not have a “personal” problem with the reappointment of Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil, but demands to respect the outcome of the 2009 parliamentary elections.
“Gebran Bassil is the least of my concerns,” said Zahra.
He called for a technocrat government and for speeding up the cabinet formation, stressing the need to form a new cabinet to avoid “the unknown.”