French Diplomat Continues Talks with Officials, Reiterates Calls for Formation of Cabinet
French President Francois Hollande's adviser on North Africa and the Middle East Emmanuel Bonne stressed on Saturday his country's support to the Lebanese state institutions, calling for the swift formation of a new cabinet.
“Consultations are have intensified to reach a suitable lineup,” Bonne pointed out after talks with Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun.
Bonne also underlined the importance of carrying out the Presidential elections on time.
The government formation process has witnessed an intensified a political activity in an attempt to end the standstill since Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April.
The formation process was put on the front burner after Speaker Nabih Berri proposed a revised 8-8-8 government formula and President Michel Suleiman said he would form a so-called neutral cabinet if the political rivals don't agree on an all-embracing government within ten days.
Amid the Lebanese Forces' rejection of Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet, the March 14 alliance has reportedly accepted the 8-8-8 formula in principle, but it is awaiting answers pertaining to the ministerial policy statement and the rotation of portfolios among political parties.
The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists and March 14 and 8 coalitions, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.
According to the state-run National News Agency, the French official discussed with Aoun the latest developments in the region and the conditions of Christians in the Middle East.
Bonne was accompanied by French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli.
Later, Bonne held talks with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.
He left Maarab without making any statement.
Bonne stressed after talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on the importance of stability in Lebanon and the need to respect constitutional deadlines.
He also praised the role played by al-Rahi to unite the Lebanese.
On Friday, the diplomat held talks with Berri, Salam, Palange Party leader Amin Gemayel and Hizbullah International Relations official Ammar Moussawi.
A French embassy source told Agence France Presse that Bonne was in the country for "talks with all political parties" and would be joined on Monday by the French army's chief of staff, Admiral Edouard Guillaud.
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