Miqati Rules Out Dispute with Suleiman over Attempt to Revive Caretaker Cabinet

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Thursday that there is no dispute with President Michel Suleiman over the possibility of reviving the caretaker cabinet.

Sources close to the caretaker premier called on the foes not to depend on reports saying that there is a dispute between the two officials.

The sources said that Miqati's attempt to revive the work of his cabinet comes in light of the pressing files that require the government's approval in order to facilitate people's interest.

Asked about Suleiman's disinterest in reviving the work of the caretaker cabinet, the sources said that the president argues that the matter will have a negative impact on the endeavors exerted by Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to form a new government.

Salam has so far failed to form a new cabinet due to conditions and counter-conditions set by the rival parties.

Ministerial sources told al-Liwaa newspaper that the caretaker cabinet won't be able to hold a meeting as long as there is no consensus among foes over the matter.

The sources said that Miqati and Suleiman will discuss the matter after the caretaker PM returns to Lebanon from South Africa, where he attended the memorial service of Nelson Mandela.

As Safir newspaper reported on Wednesday that Miqati discussed reviving the work of the caretaker cabinet with head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat's representative Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour and Speaker Nabih Berri's adviser, MP Ali Hasan Khalil.

Hizbullah and AMAL movement support the move, however, the Free Patriotic Movement says that a cabinet session should be held only to discuss “urgent matters.”

For his part, Suleiman is calling for the formation of a new cabinet to oversee the election of next President.

His tenure ends in May 2014, but the constitutional period to elect a new head of state begins on March 25, two months prior to the expiration of Suleiman’s mandate.