Hariri: National Coalition Government an Exception, I Wish to Practice Opposition Someday
The Hariri-led government held its first session at the Baabda Palace headed by President Michel Suleiman. Social Affairs Minister Salim al-Sayegh did not attend the session.
Information Minister Tarek Metri said after the session that President Suleiman congratulated the Lebanese on the formation of the new government and hailed the role played by PM Hariri in the negotiations period. The president also hailed the role played by former Primer Minister MP Fouad Saniora during his leadership of the late government.
Suleiman was quoted as saying that the time spent on the formation process did not go in vain, and that the extended negotiations led to a dialogue among the various political parties that will give its outcome later.
Metri also said that the president hoped the ministers will enter their ministries without prejudice, and that they would avoid all types of slander in the media. Suleiman urged the need for a prompt wording of the cabinet”s Policy Statement.
As for PM Hariri, he wished for the governmental kick-off to be able to satisfy the aspirations of the Lebanese people, adding that the national coalition government is an exception rather than a rule to build constitutional customs upon it.
Metri quoted Hariri as saying he hoped to be someday in the opposition to practice its supposed role in any democratic regime.
Hariri urged not to have a government that is composed of barricades split into two fronts, hoping that everyone would hold up to their responsibility away from bidding.
Metri announced the members of the committee assigned to compose the cabinet”s Policy Statement. The committee is formed of the ministers: Boutros Harb, Tarek Metri, Mohammed Fneish, Jean Ogassapian, Wael Abou Faour, Ziad Baroud, Jebran Bassil, Ali al-Shami, Charbel Nahas, Salim al-Sayegh, Raya al-Hafar, Youssef Saade.
The committee will hold its meeting Wednesday noon at the Grand Serail, according to Metri.
Earlier Tuesday, the protocol picture marking the initiation of PM Saad Hariri”s first government was taken at the doorsteps of Baabda Palace in the absence of Phalange Party”s minister Salim al-Sayegh and the attendance of State Minister Michel Faroun.
A closed meeting gathered Suleiman, Berri, and Hariri prior to the photo-taking session.
Before heading to Baabda, Hariri visited the Phalange Party headquarters to meet with its leader Amin Gemayel in an attempt to appease the party and its leadership after it expressed frustration over Hariri”s move that gave the Phalange the social affairs portfolio rather than the education ministry.
MP Sami Gemayel and Minister Salim al-Sayegh joined the Hariri-Gemayel meeting, however, the meeting ended and neither side made a statement to the press.
The politburo of Phalange Party held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Phalange Party official Sejaan Qazzi said that they were neither after a portfolio nor a seat.
The politburo of Phalange Party will hold another meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
On the other hand, State Minister Michel Faroun stressed that the information about his frustration of being appointed as state minister were false, Voice of Lebanon radio said.