Naharnet

Gemayel Urges Formation of Inclusive, Interim Cabinet ahead of Presidential Vote

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel on Sunday called for the formation of an “interim” and “all-embracing” cabinet that would prepare for the upcoming important junctures, especially the presidential election.

“We are before three essential and critical junctures that would decide Lebanon's future: the presidential vote, the formation of the new cabinet and the presidential elections,” Gemayel said during a press conference.

He suggested what can be described as a roadmap for the three junctures.

“We demand the formation of an interim cabinet that would oversee the presidential vote and whose mission would end with the end of this juncture. That would be followed by forming another cabinet that would prepare a new electoral law, under which a new Lebanese parliament would be elected and would be tasked with defining the country's domestic and foreign policies,” Gemayel said.

He noted that “what's happening in Geneva between the U.S. and Iran has repercussions on the Lebanese situation.”

“But we're concerned with people and their security and the country's future and we're seeking the triumph of Lebanon, not the triumph of one camp over another,” added Gemayel.

“We're in round-the-clock contact with the president over the formation of the new cabinet and in constant contact with ex-PM Saad Hariri and with all our allies, as well as with the other camp, in order to form a cabinet that would satisfy our conscience,” he said.

Gemayel noted that the Phalange Party would voice its final stance on the issue of joining the new cabinet in light of consultations with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, stressing that the government must be “competent and unifying.”


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