March 8 Calls on Suleiman to End Presidency Era without 'Wrecking' Lebanon
The March 8 alliance urged President Michel Suleiman not to end his era with the formation of a government that would create a rift among the Lebanese, As-Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday.
According to a prominent source close to the March 8 coalition, “Suleiman shouldn't end his presidency era with a cabinet that would lead to confrontation and create further chaos in the country.”
The source accused the March 14 alliance of seeking to eliminate its participation in the new cabinet merely to “please the Americans who informed it that they will not endure any government that includes any Hizbullah member.”
On August 1, Suleiman rejected during a ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of the Lebanese army’s founding the boycott and paralysis of state institutions.
“We won't wait forever to form a national interest government that receives the confidence of the parliament,” the president said.
For his part, caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, who is loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, accused some parties of clearly aiming at eliminating the participation of certain sides from participating in the new cabinet.
“We don't reject to participate in any formed cabinet but we are demanding to be represented according to our parliamentary size,” Bassil said.
He rejected any attempts to eliminate the participation of any party amid the “extraordinary conditions that the country is passing through.”
March 8 has asked for veto power in the new government and sought to name its own ministers despite the rejection of Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.
Salam is seeking to form a cabinet divided equally between the Lebanese foes and the centrists.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/94014 |