Aoun Vetoes Giving Telecoms Ministry to Somebody Else Instead of Bassil
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has reportedly rejected giving the telecommunications ministry to somebody else in place of his son-in-law Jebran Bassil.
Sources from the majority March 14 coalition told the daily An-Nahar in remarks published Sunday that Aoun "firmly rejected" an offer to retain the telecoms portfolio in the new government provided somebody else, and not Bassil, was named for that post.
They said Aoun insisted on maintaining both the telecoms ministry and Bassil.
The sources deduced that the Opposition has not yet receive a "serious signal" from Syria to facilitate government formation.
This shows the dual behavior, the sources went on to say. "On the one hand, Damascus” very close allies show flexibility, while the rest of the allies spell out stiff demands away from the spotlight."
Ad-Diyar newspaper, meanwhile, said contacts continued between Center House and Rabiyeh via envoys, particularly deputy Speaker Farid Makarai who is handling carrying view points from both sides.
FPM sources told An-Nahar, however, that "there is nothing new so far" between Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri regarding a Cabinet lineup.
They said a meeting between Hariri and Aoun would likely take place after Hariri winds up talks with his allies.
"We gave him proposals and we are waiting for his response. Either partial or total portfolio rotation or keep the portfolios as they are," one FPM source said.