Suleiman Condemns Linking Cabinet to Presidential Vote: Why Can't Lebanese Have a Neutral Govt.?
President Michel Suleiman on Monday condemned attempts to link the cabinet formation process to the May presidential election, wondering why can't the Lebanese have a “neutral government” after 10 months of political vacuum.
“Should we fail to form an all-embracing political cabinet, don't people have the right to contribute to the formation of a neutral government? In the absence of consensus on an inclusive cabinet, do we have to stay without a cabinet?” Suleiman wondered in a televised speech he delivered at the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture in Beirut.
“Is an agreement on a cabinet equivalent to national agreement? Don't the nonpartisan Lebanese have the right to contribute to the rise of the country and would these people undermine national unity?” the president added.
However, he pointed out that “the door of consultations is still open and we hope the PM-designate will reach a solution that can pull the country out of its constitutional crisis.”
The president noted that Lebanon is facing “several challenges, including the Syrian refugee crisis,” calling on the Lebanese to “intensify efforts to preserve security, confront terrorist operations, calm down the political rhetoric and close ranks, in line with the Baabda Declaration.”
Suleiman stressed that it is impossible to “fight unemployment and poverty and achieve prosperity” without “the formation of a cabinet that is capable of addressing people's affairs, overseeing the presidential vote and securing the election of a new parliament.”
“Have we acted with responsibility that respects the confidence placed in us by citizens? Do we realize that the human remains that fly in a certain blast might be those of a dear person or relative?” the president said.
“A cabinet that reassures investors must be formed, a new president must be elected and parliamentary elections must be held,” he stressed.
“We are performing our duties towards citizens. How can we be less keen on our country than the international community and the brotherly nations? Is it reasonable to say that the initiatives of the International Support Group and Saudi Arabia are aimed at extending the president's term or at forming a cabinet with a certain affiliation or structure?” added Suleiman.
He asked if the president's role was “limited to rejecting the line-ups that might be submitted by the PM-designate.”
“What is the maximum timeframe that the president has regarding postponement? Are you convinced that the formation of a new cabinet would have an effect on the presidential election? No, citizens know this and they know about the obstruction that happened in the past,” he said.
“I pledge to you that we will spare no effort to achieve prosperity for citizens and I hope people won't allow that their dreams be stolen by those who are seeking to drag them into strife and war,” the president added.
Source: Naharnet
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