Hizbullah”s Arms Preventing Cabinet Formation
MP Sami Gemayel said Saturday that Hizbullah”s arms were preventing Premier-designate Saad Hariri from forming a new government.
"Weapons which are the most important veto power are preventing Hariri from forming a cabinet," Gemayel told Voice of Lebanon radio station. "The country is held captive because we can”t take a decision … if it doesn”t get the consent of the other team."
The Phalange official described Hariri as a moderate and said his party backs the premier-designate in his efforts to establish an "institutionalized state."
"Extremism in Lebanon only leads to trouble," he added.
Gemayel also told VDL that foreign countries are interfering in the cabinet formation process. "Unfortunately, all regional and western countries should give their consent on government formation."
The MP called for making Lebanon a U.N. trusteeship. "Some Lebanese groups that own arms are trying to impose what they want on other groups," he said.
"Let the U.N. come, form a commission, establish headquarters in Lebanon and lead reconciliation and national dialogue (efforts) to reach a solution," the Phalange official said.
He also defended Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir against verbal attacks, including by Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah.