Raad Says Cabinet Formation Premature
Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad revealed on Friday that it was premature to form the new government and criticized Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat for making a proposal whose success is not guaranteed
In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5), Raad said a proposal to form a de facto government had been suggested by Premier-designate Tammam Salam since he was tasked with forming the cabinet.
President Michel Suleiman also hinted to it during his Army Day speech two weeks ago, he said.
But Raad, who is the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, expressed skepticism at Jumblat's stance on the issue.
“We don't know whether he is ready to vote on this proposal because he is making a suggestion without confirming whether he would be able to guarantee a (parliamentary) majority for it,” the lawmaker told VDL.
Jumblat told Egypt’s Middle East News Agency MENA on Wednesday that he “will study the available options, including a neutral de facto cabinet, should a neutral technocratic one be rejected.”
“I do not want to take the risk in advocating a de facto government as I was among the first to demand the establishment of a national unity cabinet that Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam had described as one of national reconciliation,” he said.
In remarks to As Safir daily the next day, Salam reiterated that he is seeking to come up with a cabinet that is “compatible with the requirements of the nation's interest.”
He did not confirm whether he would go ahead with forming a fait accompli government after his attempts to form a cabinet of rival political figures have faced major obstacles over conditions and counter-conditions set by the bickering March 8 and March 14 alliances.
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