Salam, FPM Exchange Counter Accusations on Cabinet Delay
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam and the Free Patriotic Movement have exchanged accusations of responsibility for the delay in the formation of the new government.
FPM officials told As Safir daily published on Monday that “the obstacle in the cabinet formation is Msaitbeh because Salam created the crisis when he came up with the idea of rotation (of portfolios) and held onto it when (al-Mustaqbal bloc leader) ex-PM Fouad Saniora made it as a condition.”
The officials, who were not identified, expressed surprise at what they said was Salam's rejection to discuss with them the details of the distribution of seats to FPM officials based on the suggested rotation.
They wondered what portfolios would be from the FPM's share if they gave up the energy, telecommunications and justice ministers, which are currently led by the movement's officials.
FPM leader Michel Aoun has been stalling the formation of an all-embracing 24-member government for claiming that the country's top leaders did not consult him when they struck a deal on the 8-8-8 formula and the rotation of portfolios among sects.
On Sunday, caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil reiterated the FPM’s opposition to the rotation, saying his ministry ensured the role of Christians in the country.
But several local dailies quoted Salam as saying on Monday that the formation process is not a hobby or a waste of time.
“It requires strong efforts and a responsibility by all political parties,” he told his visitors.
“Where is the logic in having a single party standing against the agreement” to form an all-embracing cabinet? Salam wondered.
“Should we stop the country and its interests based on the wishes and demands of a single person and a specific portfolio?” he asked in reference to the energy ministry.
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