Franjieh Dines with Hariri, Plans Damascus Visit to Make Cabinet Deal Possible
Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh dined with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to discuss ways to get out of the political stalemate and was reportedly planning to visit Damascus seeking help to make a Cabinet deal possible.
The daily As-Safir on Thursday said Franjieh has, at the same time, maintained ongoing contacts with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Hizbullah in an effort to reach a Cabinet deal.
Franjieh was also said to have plans to visit Damascus before week”s end as part of his efforts to find common ground between Hariri and Aoun, al-Liwaa newspaper reported.
Hariri sources told As-Safir that a Cabinet lineup was still likely to be announced between end of the month and the first week of November.
They ruled out a deal over portfolio rotation since this could have a negative effect on President Michel Suleiman”s quota seats.
The sources, nevertheless, stressed that Hariri was open to negotiations in a bid to agree on alternatives that would "satisfy" Aoun, excluding the Justice Ministry.
As-Safir said efforts were now focused on "seeking and finding a face-saving solution" for all political parties involved in the Cabinet .