Moussa getting nowhere – Saudi foreign minister
Saud al-faisal blames “foreign party that does not want to see stability in Lebanon”
Saud al-faisal blames “foreign party that does not want to see stability in Lebanon”
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Wednesday he was worried about the ongoing political crisis in Lebanon and blamed a “foreign party” for undermining attempts to restore stability in the country. Speaking at a conference of Arab and South American foreign ministers in Buenos Aires, he said that Arab League chief Amr Moussa”s mediation efforts have not yet yielded any results, adding that a “foreign party does not want to see stability in Lebanon.”
At the same conference, Moussa reiterated that Lebanon”s presidential election must take place as soon as possible and should be immediately followed by the formation of a national unity government.
Moussa”s assistant, Hisham Youssef, arrived in Beirut Wednesday to pave the way for his boss” return in the coming few days. Youssef said Moussa”s return depends on the success of his own preliminary talks.
Moussa is expected to arrive on Friday, two days ahead of a four-party meeting, grouping the Arab League chief, leader of the parliamentary majority MP Saad HaririSaad-Hariri-Profile Sep-07 , former President Amin Gemayel and opposition leader MP Michel Aoun.
But Hariri told his family”s Future News television on Wednesday that there were no signs of a solution on the horizon and warned that the Lebanese were not obliged to implement “Syria”s vision.”
“A solution is not in the offing because opposition leaders are still trading roles,” he said.
“Aoun insists on getting veto power in the next cabinet, while Speaker Nabih Berri is marketing the 10+10+10 [formula],” he said, in reference to a proposal in which the ruling coalition, the opposition and the new president would each get 10 ministerial posts in the next cabinet.
“Such formula was actually made in Syria,” Hariri added.
In response, Aoun told Hizbullah”s Al-Manar television that there was no need for Moussa”s return given Hariri”s objection to the 10+10+10 formula.
However, Berri told An-Nahr and As-Safir newspapers late Tuesday that he would be willing to move forward with the 10+10+10 formula and head to Parliament next Tuesday to elect a new president.
“As far as I know, no party has rejected this formula. I told Moussa that I am ready to move forward with it,” Berri said.
“Something is being prepared for the Sunday meeting,” he added, without elaborating.
Ali Hamdan, Berri”s media adviser, told The Daily Star on Wednesday that the speaker”s position has not changed regarding the 10+10+10 formula.
“Hariri is arguing that Aoun wants veto power, while Berri backs the “three tens” formula. But Berri has clearly said he is ready to move forward with the three tens,” Hamdan said.
Meanwhile, Hariri”s adviser, Hani Hammoud, told The Daily Star on Wednesday that Hariri had proposed the three tens formula in order “to test” the opposition”s seriousness and willingness to reach a solution.
“Hariri even went on to propose giving the opposition veto power, but the opposition asked for more than that and went on to negotiate the name of the next prime minister and the distribution of cabinet portfolios,” Hammoud said.
Meanwhile, in a sign of a hardening of stances, Lebanese Forces boss Samir Geagea was quoted by An-Nahar daily on Wednesday as saying that the parliamentary majority will not make concessions after the February 14 mass rally.
Geagea said the rally, commemorating the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, established a new status quo and proved that the March 14 forces are backed by the majority of the Lebanese people.
But Geagea said his coalition will continue to support the Arab initiative as long as it stands.
The Arab initiative calls for the election of the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Michel Suleiman, as president, the formation of a national unity government, and the drafting of a new electoral law for the 2009 legislative elections.
Meanwhile, Premier Fouad Siniora told BBC in London on Wednesday that a civil war is not likely to take place in Lebanon, despite widespread fears about the worsening security situation that has accompanied the political stalemate.
Siniora accused the opposition of using street pressure in a bid to force the parliamentary majority to make more concessions. “Despite all such attempts, I do not think there will be a civil war,” he said.
He added that the opposition has realized that it is not in its interest to trigger civil war in Lebanon. “It is also not in the interest of Syria and Iran as both countries know that a civil war in Lebanon might expand to other areas in the region,” he said.