Berri: Revival of Cabinet Sessions Bolsters Appetite for Controversial Issues
Speaker Nabih Berri has warned that holding cabinet sessions would renew clashes in the resigned government of Prime Minister Najib Miqati, hindering the process of coming up with a new line-up.
“The revival of government sessions would open the appetite over controversial issues that a resigned cabinet should not discuss because they would push aside the efforts to form the government,” he said.
In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Friday, Berri said that the officials are holding consultations on the possibility of forming the 9-9-6 formula cabinet in which March 8 and 14 would get nine ministers each and centrists would have 6 ministers.
“Given the current situation, there is no option but to form the 9-9-6 cabinet or return to the dialogue table,” he said.
He told the newspaper that President Michel Suleiman backs such a proposal which was first made by Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, in addition to some members in al-Mustaqbal movement. “But they are holding consultations.”
But al-Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat snapped back at Berri, saying his remarks don't pave way for the formation of a cabinet anytime soon.
“No one in al-Mustaqbal is ready to accept the 9-9-6 formula,” he told Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5).
Berri also revealed that Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam does not reject the formula but was waiting for the approval of the rival parties.
Jumblat, who is a centrist, will be most harmed by such a cabinet, he said, adding that the PSP chief has accepted it for the sake of avoiding vacuum.
The speaker reiterated that the March 14 alliance will emerge victorious if it accepts the 9-9-6 formula.
He called for a “fair and comprehensive rotation in the portfolios” but said such an issue will be discussed after the formation of the cabinet, which should be made up of political figures and not neutral officials.
He expressed surprise at al-Mustaqbal's call for a neutral government at a time when he quoted the bloc's leader, MP Fouad Saniora, as asking him in 2007 whether there were neutral officials in Lebanon.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/109716 |