Qassem Recommends Formation of All-Embracing Political Cabinet
Hizbullah deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem warned on Thursday the formation of a cabinet other than all-embracing national political government, saying that "all options are open.”
Qassem speaking to Hizbullah's al-Manar channel lashed out at proposals to form a neutral or de-facto cabinets, pointing out that these kind of governments would spread “chaos, danger and complications.”
“The only solution if the formation of an all-embracing cabinet... And we advice the President (Michel Suleiman) to carry out this dangerous task.”
He noted that the President and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam are responsible for offering the Lebanese people “the best.”
“If they are under pressure then it's their problem,” Qassem told the channel.
The official said that the “formation of a new cabinet is a matter that concerns all the Lebanese and not only the PM-designate and the President.”
Qassem rejected statements saying that the formation of a cabinet depends on the presidential elections.
“They are separate matters and each need to have the necessary conditions to be carried out.”
Qassem said that the “Presidential elections must occur even if the government formation was stalled.”
Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post.
Suleiman's six-year tenure ends in May 2014.
The President had recently suggested the formation of a government capable of staging the elections regardless if it does not enjoy parliament's confidence.
The March 8 alliance however rejected the proposal, deeming it unconstitutional.
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat had proposed the formation of a new cabinet in which the March 8 and 14 alliances would get nine ministers each and six ministers would be given to the centrists – Suleiman, Salam and Jumblat.
This formula, which the March 8 alliance agreed on, prevents a certain party from controlling the government by giving veto power to Hizbullah and its team and another veto power to March 14, he said.
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