Lebanese Forces MP Says Party Adheres to Public Works Portfolio

Despite the promising atmospheres that prevailed on Monday indicating easing of differences obstructing the formation of a cabinet, Lebanese Forces MP Fadi Karam stated on Tuesday that the party still insists to be given the controversial portfolio of public works, fading hopes of a soon cabinet line-up.

In an interview to VDL (93.3) Karam unveiled an initiative to facilitate the government formation that was launched following the recent speech of Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah between the LF, Free Patriotic Movement and al-Mustaqbal Movement without disclosing the details.

He said that “the response to the initiative will be positive,” while stressing that “the LF adheres to its position and to the public works portfolio because it must be represented with a significant share in the cabinet.”

He also noted that Prime Minister-designate and Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri will not form a cabinet without the LF chief Samir Geagea's approval.

On Monday Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh announced after talks in Ain el-Tineh that Speaker Nabih Berri has officially offered him the public works ministerial portfolio, which the Lebanese Forces also insist to be given to them.

LF sources commented on Franjieh's meeting with Berri and said “we are not concerned” with what Franjieh announced about Berri offering him the public works ministerial portfolio “we consider that the old distribution of portfolios has not changed until the moment.”

Horsetrading is still revolving around the so-called services-related ministerial portfolios, mainly public works and telecommunications.

Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, is clinging to the finance and public works portfolios while also insisting that the Marada Movement must get a key portfolio.