Leaders Ditch Demands for Portfolios in Crisis Govt Formation Talks

Lebanese leaders began consultations on Wednesday to form a new crisis government, with the majority of parliamentary blocs expressing uncommon willingness to drop demands for government portfolios.

Prime minister-designate Mustafa Adib began consultations, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said Lebanese politicians had committed to a road map that begins with the formation of a government within two weeks to enact reforms.

Head of Lebanon’s largest parliamentary bloc, the Strong Lebanon bloc led by MP Jebran Bassil, said his party has no aspirations to get any portfolio in the new government.

"We have no demands or conditions. We do not mind if our participation was direct or indirect," said Bassil.

The Strong Republic bloc led by the Lebanese Forces, and Hizbullah’s Loyalty to the Resistance bloc also voiced similar intentions.

"The bloc supports the formation of an independent government of specialists. The Lebanese Forces will not participate in it, will not present names, and will not participate in its formation," said LF MP George Adwan, who also called the new government to distance itself from regional conflicts and be neutral.

Lebanese rival leaders traditionally bicker over shares in any new government.

Ex-PMs Najib Miqati and Saad Hariri did not attend the talks for travel reasons.

Meanwhile, ex-PM Tammam Salam said after meeting Adib: "We have to move quickly in the formation process away from personal interests. A small government with a homogeneous team must be formed."

"Neglecting the Orthodox component is no more acceptable, similarly there is neglect of other sects," Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli stated to reporters.

Mustapha Adib, a 48-year-old diplomat, was hastily approved for the job of prime minister earlier this week, ahead of a two-day marathon visit by Macron that ended on Tuesday night. It was his second visit in less than a month as Lebanon faces multiple crises and challenges — including an unprecedented financial and economic meltdown and the aftermath of last month's massive explosion in Beirut's port that ripped through the capital.

The giant Aug. 4 explosion, caused by the ignition of nearly 3,000 tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, has resulted in intense pressure on Lebanon's ruling elite, already blamed for driving the small country to the brink of total collapse. At least 190 people were killed and thousands were injured in the blast.

Speaking at the end of two days of meetings in Beirut, Macron said France was committed to helping Lebanon get out of its crisis, but that failing to implement reforms within a three-month period would result in punitive actions, including withholding vital international assistance and possibly even sanctions against politicians.

"Going back to business as usual would be madness," Macron told reporters at the end of his visit.

France and the international community have said they will not provide financial assistance to Lebanon unless it implements radical changes aimed at fighting widespread corruption and mismanagement that has characterized governance here for decades.

Adib, a dual Lebanese-French citizen, promised to carry out the mission as he prepared to form a new Cabinet, saying he will work on reaching a bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Humanitarian assistance has poured into Lebanon in the wake of the Beirut explosion, with most of it going directly to NGOs and other agencies, and bypassing authorities — a reflection of the lack of trust.

In an apparent snub to the ruling class, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker said he will not meet with Lebanese politicians during a visit to Beirut on Wednesday, but would hold talks with civil society activists.

In an interview with the pan-Arab Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, Schenker said the new Lebanese government must believe in reforms and implement them.

"There is a need for a government that cares about its people and their demands, a responsible and transparent government that carries out economic and political reforms," he said.

"It will no longer be business as usual."