Cabinet Formation Facing Difficulties, Not Negativities
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri stressed that the cabinet formation negotiations are facing some difficulties, but he added that those difficulties should not be considered as negativities given that all parties are submitting solutions to facilitate the formation.
After meeting with President Michel Suleiman in Baabda Palace on Friday, Hariri said that he informed the president about the discussions he had conducted with leaders in both majority and opposition.
Hariri clarified that the dialogue does not only tackle portfolios and names but it tackles also the issues discussed in the Parliament, the thing that leads to rebuilding trust among the rival parties.
The PM-designate stressed that he will cooperate with the president in forming the cabinet, refusing to give a specific date for its birth.
"We are heading toward the formation of a national unity government, and there is no need to discuss further formulas," said Hariri, hoping for that to happen soon.
Earlier on Friday, President Suleiman said that the stage after the formation of a new cabinet is the stage of administrative, economic and political reform.
Suleiman also said that administrative decentralization should be the main issue because it plays a developmental role in all regions. Several draft laws are being prepared in this purpose by the interior ministry, he added.
The president”s comment came during a meeting with Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud who also informed Suleiman about the security situation in the country.
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams was also among the visitors to Baabda palace on Friday.
On Thursday, Hariri has reportedly concluded in reaching an agreement that the Progressive Socialist Party retains the public works ministry in the new government.
Following talks at his Beirut residence in Clemenceau, MP Jumblat hinted that the PSP was holding onto the public works and transportation portfolio.
He said PSP official and Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi "succeeded at the ministry and he should pursue his work," Jumblat said.