Abou Faour Meets Berri despite Jumblat's Denial of Initiative

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat denied Thursday that he is seeking to conduct an initiative to resolve the lingering political crisis despite a meeting between his aide Health Minister Wael Abou Faour and Speaker Nabih Berri.

“In the capital Beirut I announce that I will not carry out any initiative,” Jumblat said on his Twitter account.

He expressed pessimism, saying: “Fire is surrounding us... and there is no breakthrough on the horizon to elect a new head of state.”

Jumblat criticized the decision taken by political rivals to inflict semi or complete paralysis at state institutions to achieve narrow interests.

“I have already proposed an initiative to avert paralysis but it was rejected by prominent leaders.”

Al-Akhbar newspaper reported earlier Thursday that the Druze leader is seeking to mend the gap between the political rivals over the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials at state posts.

According to the daily, Jumblat will kickstart an initiative to resolve the dispute, in particular after Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's continuous threats to topple the cabinet of Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

“It is clear that we have entered a cabinet paralysis, even if it wasn't directly announced,” Abou Faour said after meeting with Berri Thursday.

He pointed out that the political discussions aren't “mature.”

Abou Faour reiterated his trust in the speaker's management.

Media reports said on Wednesday that Jumblat kicked off contacts with Hizbullah to tackle the possible scenarios if the cabinet was paralyzed due to the sharp rift between ministers over the controversy of appointments.

The PSP reportedly suggested that Salam should continue to hold daily ministerial meetings to run the affairs of the state. The Higher Defense Council will also have to hold periodic meetings to follow up on the security developments and maintain stability, and ministers should cooperate with the premier and ink decrees that don't need the approval of the cabinet.

The proposals suggested by the PSP surfaced as Aoun threatened Tuesday after his Change and Reform bloc meeting that his ministers will boycott cabinet sessions until the appointments dilemma is resolved.

He slammed the cabinet, saying that the government should go on vacation until September if it will not appoint new security and military chiefs.

Aoun has repeatedly warned the government against extending the terms of the army and Internal Security Forces chiefs, deeming it illegal.

He allegedly backs the appointment of his son-in-law, Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, as army commander.

Military chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji is set to retire on September 23, while ISF chief Major General Ibrahim Basbous is set to retire on June 4.

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