Adwan Warns: LF Won't Partake in Cabinet without Sovereign Portfolio

Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan warned that the party prefers not to be part of the new cabinet if it was not given a sovereign ministerial portfolio as part of it share, media reports said on Monday.

“The Lebanese Forces adheres to having a sovereign portfolio, otherwise we prefer not to participate,” An Nahar daily said.

The MP assured that the “LF's adamant stances stem from an agreement that was reached with President Michel Aoun before his election, that he starts his term by respecting and applying the terms of the Taef Accord which made us support him to reach the post.”

Adwan added that the party strongly rejects the monopolization of portfolios by some sects or parties, “the principle of rotation must be applied,” he emphasized.

Sources close to parties working on the process of the cabinet formation pointed out to two solutions that could solve the hurdle. The first is by giving a sovereign portfolio to an “acceptable” figure that enjoys the liking of both the LF and the Free Patriotic Movement.

The second solution would give the LF three key portfolios – justice, telecommunications and energy – as well as a portfolio for a pro-LF Armenian figure, in return for giving up its demand to get a sovereign portfolio.