Aoun Embarrasses Opposition
Opposition media outlets reported Saturday that Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has embarrassed Hizbullah and AMAL movement by rejecting a proposal they had sponsored to facilitate efforts aimed at forming the new cabinet.
Al-Akhbar newspaper headlined its main report: "Aoun embarrasses the opposition by insisting on the public works and telecommunications portfolios."
"Saniora halts negotiations, Murr-Geagea threaten to withdraw," the headline added.
"Is the problem now within the opposition …?" the report asked.
It said the proposal was originally declared by Hizbullah MP Hassan Fadlallah, and relayed by a Hizbullah delegation to President Michel Suleiman backed by "guarantees" that Aoun would accept it.
The proposal, which gave Aoun the right to choose a minister for the public works portfolio, was also relayed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to the March 14 majority alliance through Democratic Gathering Leader Walid Jumblat.
Aoun, however, informed a representative of Premier-designate Fouad Saniora that he also wants to control the telecommunications portfolio, in addition to other seats in the cabinet, and practiced veto on seats to be allotted to other Christian factions.
Al-Akhbar said unnamed government sources blamed blocking the cabinet formation on Aoun.
Hizbullah and AMAL, according to the newspaper, kept a low profile and avoided comment on the issue to avoid further embarrassment.
Aoun declared Friday evening that he was officially informed by a Saniora representative that the offer relayed to him earlier has been "withdrawn."