Berri Says Formation of Technocrats Govt. 'Not an Option'

W460

As the country grapples with nationwide protests now demanding the formation of a technocratic government, Speaker Nabih Berri said forming a cabinet of purely technocrat figures was off the table, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“We have to form a political-technocratic government. A purely technocrat cabinet is out of the question,” Berri said in remarks to the daily.

Berri reiterated: “In general we back a government of technocrats and politicians, it won’t matter if the number of politicians were more or less than the number of technocrats, it is crucial that the government be formed to proceed and rescue the country.

Asked who would he name for the premiership during the binding parliamentary consultations with the President, he said: “We will make our position clear at the consultations, and of course we have to see the (nominee’s) work plan.”

The name of Samir Khatib, the director general of the Khatib & Alami engineering firm, emerged Tuesday as a strong candidate for the PM post.

He announced that he is willing to form the new government should there be “consensus” on his nomination.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri openly declared Tuesday that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the premiership.

The announcement comes nearly a month after he resigned amid ongoing protests as well as a severe economic and financial crisis.

The nationwide anti-government protests erupted on October 17 and have since targeted corruption and mismanagement by the country's ruling elite.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 5
Missing fuzzyd72 27 November 2019, 10:07

As per devnull, that's fine but please leave.

Thumb thepatriot 27 November 2019, 10:25

This thug wants to keep control. Why doesn't he explain why he wants politicians onboard!?
If he wants politicians... they will all ask for politicians... the circle will never end...

Thumb devnull_666 27 November 2019, 10:52

Why is a technocrat government not an option, Mr. Birri? Government should be run as a company. You don't perform, you get fired. By that measure, Mr. Berri, you'd not have lasted a month based on your performance. Your resignation is accepted!

Missing samiam 27 November 2019, 11:09

What a shock--a shia mp that doesn't want a technocratic government. Next he will want the ministry of finance again and assign fpm the energy ministry.

He should leave and take his minions with him.

Missing samiam 27 November 2019, 12:22

I have no problem with shia, buddhists, jews, 7th day adventists or pastafarians; however, in this country, the mp's who happen to be shia are very premonidately in the same mindset as Barry and kizb. There are 27 or 28 hia ministers, and ALL of them are M8. All are either kizb, amal or their allies and NONE have supported a technocratic government.

Now if you have an issue with that, so be it, but I do think my generalities are buried in facts.