Report: Suggestions to ‘Resolve’ Sunni Opposition Hurdle

Several suggestions were reportedly made in a bid to resolve a new obstacle facing the government formation and related to the representation of the Sunni MPs of March 8 camp, al-Joumhouria daily said on Tuesday.

One of the ideas suggested that President Michel Aoun abandons a Sunni ministerial seat of his share in favor of one of the six Sunni deputies of March 8, specifically MP Faisal Karami, said the daily.

The idea reportedly meets Hizbullah’s approval, it said. However, no indicators from Aoun’s side have shown his acceptance although the President has confirmed the right of said MPs to be represented in the Cabinet, but “apart from the presidential quota,” it added.

According to information obtained by al-Joumhouria, another suggestion was to swap a Shiite minister from Hizbullah’s share with a Sunni minister. But it did not seem applicable because Hizbullah adheres to its three-seat Shiite ministerial quota.

A similar idea came up but was immediately buried. It suggested that Speaker Nabih Berri “makes a sacrifice” to ease the formation process similar to what he did with previous governments.

This was reportedly met with great “indignation” from Berri’s circles who also stressed the need that March 8 Sunni MPs be represented.

Sunni MPs of March 8, backed by Hizbullah, insist to be represented in the government.

On Monday, Hizbullah refused to hand Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri the names of the party’s three ministers unless said MPs are included.

In turn, Hariri refuses to give up his share in favor of any Sunni MPs from outside al-Mustaqbal Movement.

Reports said the Premier “ has informed several political parties that he would step down from the mission of forming the government should Hizbullah continue to insist on the appointment of a Sunni minister from al-Mustaqbal Movement's share.”