Naharnet Newsdesk - July Time Limit for Cabinet Formation

			Welcome
English

Lebanon

July Time Limit for Cabinet Formation

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has cautioned that if obstacles facing the cabinet line-up persist an interim government could be formed.
But Berri said he was "hopeful regarding the government formation, especially after the (Wednesday) meeting with President Michel Suleiman."

Suleiman, in turn, has stressed that the "government is the doorway to national reconciliation and not to national disputes."

"This is why we are not in a hurry to form it (cabinet)," he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Fouad Saniora said he expected obstacles facing formation of the new cabinet "to be eliminated at any moment."

On Friday, the daily Al Akhbar, citing well-informed political sources, said the main problem facing the birth of the government was the opposition's rejection to keep Elias Murr as defense minister.

Instead, the opposition wants the defense ministry seat to go to Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun's parliamentary bloc, a move rejected by Suleiman, Al Akhbar wrote.

It said the president continues to cling to the defense ministry and he wants Murr to keep his post.

Al Akhbar said the "problem" was not with the opposition, particularly not with Aoun, but rather within the ruling March 14 coalition itself "due to differences over the shares of the new cabinet."

Fears mounted that the ongoing political standstill over the government formation could have negative repercussions in the event the cabinet was not announced by July 13, the date of the Mediterranean summit in Paris where Saniora will take part.

Al Liwaa, for its part, said on-again-off-again violence across Lebanon was "part of a political scheme aimed at preventing the formation of the government and hindering the launch of the new era … until the upcoming parliamentary elections" in 2009.

It quoted well-informed sources as saying that the delegations' maneuver between Rabiyeh, Qoreitem and Ain el-Tineh as well as non-stop contacts between Baabda and the Grand Serail have focused on the fate of the telecommunications cabinet post.

As to Aoun, Al Liwaa said there were suggestions that his bloc gets either the ministry of education or public works.

Beirut, 20 Jun 08, 10:24


Your Comments


You Make the News

Cast Your Comments on this Article
View & Recommend Readers' Comments

Other Headlines

Khalife: Ethiopian Plane 'Exploded' after Take-off, 5 More Victims Identified

Separate St. Maroun Celebrations in Beirut and Brad, Sfeir Says Maronite Church Keen on Coexistence

Spanish King Inspects U.N. Troops in South Lebanon

Jumblat Expresses Regret at 'Offensive Words' against Syrian People, Leadership

Hariri Convinced with Syrian Clarifications on Assad's Remarks

Struger: The Situation is Calm, All Sides Cooperating with UNIFIL

Murr Kicks of Talks with U.S. Officials

Army Arrests Majzoub's Uncle

Suleiman to Spain's King: Lebanon, UNIFIL Facing Dangerous Israeli Threats

Saudi Government Urges International Response to Israeli Threats Against Lebanon, Syria

U.S. Congressman Involved in Deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut Dies

Phalange Party: Assad's Remarks 'a Second Message' after Abu Moussa's

Jumblat: Leave the Issue of Feb. 14 Rally Participation to Last Minute

Sfeir in Lent Message: Maronite Presence is Based on Covenant, We Ask for No One's Guarantees

Quarrel at Manara Fishermen Port: Mashnouq Denies Being Beaten, Aridi Declines to Comment

Recovered Black Box Could Tell Story of Ethiopian Plane Crash

Assad to Berri: Syria will Support Lebanon if Israel Attacks

Black Box Retrieved 14 Days after Ethiopian Plane Crash

Filipina House Worker Murders Employer's Sister with Kitchen Knife

Rifi in Damascus as March 14 Adapts to New Phase

Assad to Berri: We Support Lebanon and Its Stability

Aoun: Lebanese Refugees in Israel is a Pressing Issue, Not All of Them are Spies

Survey: Mixed View of Hizbullah in Muslim Countries

Western Diplomat Rules Out Israeli War on Lebanon

Mustaqbal Doubts Authenticity of Remarks Attributed to Assad, Hariri Calls Assad

Aridi: Black Boxes Located under the Ethiopian Plane's Tail

European Official: Lebanon is Safe from Israeli Attacks during Next 3 Months

Sfeir Sends Jumblat Message

Qassem Rules Out War but Says Hizbullah Should be Ready

Jumblat Concerned over New Israeli War, Describes Situation as Madness

Hizbullah Cadres on Alert

U.S. Concern over Alleged Arms Smuggling, Repetition of 2006 Scenario

Suleiman Consulting with Officials on Reviving National Dialogue

International Review of UNIFIL Structure Amid Denial to Downsize it

Gilad: Israel's Anti-Missile System to Remain on Lebanon's Front

Jumblat Snaps Back at Lieberman: We Are with Syrian People, Leadership Above All Else

Sfeir: Possibilities of War Exist as Long as Hizbullah Wants to Play State Role

Cassese: Hariri Case Highly Complex

Suleiman: Lebanese Democratic System Among the Best in the World

Interior Ministry, USAID Sign MOU on Technical Support for Municipal Elections

Wahab Accuses Arslan of Murder Attempt, Tells Him Gone is Era of Dinosaurs

Army, Lebanese Forces at Loggerheads Over Alleged Torture of Minor

Geagea: March 14 will Carry On until Cedar Revolution Goals are Achieved

Libya Expects Suleiman to Participate in Arab Summit Despite Shiite Ire

Moussa: Fragile Mideast Situation Could Reflect on Lebanon

Agreement to Stop News Leaks on Dar al-Fatwa

Assad: Civil War in Lebanon Could Start in Days unless They Change the Whole System

Names of Lebanese Passengers Released from Plane Crash


Other Categories

Editorials
SpecialReports
Middle East
The World
Interview
Away From Politics
Lebanon Business
World Business
Culture
Lebanon Sports
World Sports
Technology
Health
Fringe


Comments

Please wait while we load the comments

Click to Comment
Recommend Readers' Comments to Promote Their Views