Report: Hariri's Govt. Change Bid Impeded by Hizbullah's Protection of Bassil

W460

Efforts by Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resolve the political crisis sparked by the unprecedented popular revolt have so far been hindered by Hizbullah’s insistence on keeping Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil in the government, ministerial sources said.

“The serious attempts that PM Saad Hariri made and is still making have run into Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s rejection of the ouster of President Michel Aoun’s tenure, the government’s resignation or the organization of early parliamentary polls,” Asharq al-Awsat newspaper quoted prominent ministerial sources as saying in remarks published Sunday.

“Ever since the popular uprising erupted, Hariri has considered that there is a political crisis that should be resolved and that, accordingly, it cannot have a security solution. President Michel Aoun backed his stance, in his own way, when he recently spoke of a government reshuffle according to the constitutional norms,” the sources added.

“But after Hizbullah’s secretary general joined the consultations, a drastic change in priorities occurred, after he completely rejected the political aspect of the protesters’ demands,” the sources went on to say.

The sources also noted that Nasrallah’s indirect accusation that the Lebanese Forces party has infiltrated the protest movement at the request of foreign forces has “led to a change in the president’s stance, although he has not said that he has shelved his proposal on carrying out a government reshuffle.”

“Hizbullah has indicated that it rejects the formation of a small, independent government or a technocrat government, while sources close to Hariri have said that he supports carrying out a government reshuffle aimed at pacifying the situation,” the newspaper said.

“But this can only be achieved through sacking the provocative ministers, including those of al-Mustaqbal Movement,” the sources added, attributing Hizbullah’s rejection of such a move to its insistence on keeping its ally Bassil in the government.

The 49-year-old Bassil is arguably the most reviled leader among the protesters, who have launched explicit slogans against him and created the now-famous “Hela Hela Ho” chant that has gone viral on the streets and on social networking websites.

Comments 8
Thumb lubnani.masi7i 27 October 2019, 14:46

If this man has any honor left, he would resign and tell all. Lebanon has a supreme leader who decides every and all matters.

Thumb kanaanljdid 28 October 2019, 10:52

Exactly.

Missing rabiosa 27 October 2019, 17:06

I told you all, Hizbos is the defect leader of the government. When you have Franjieh and Bassil go meet with Hizbos leader to curry favor to be the next president you know the country is now in complete Iranian hands. They used cow town to Damascus now they go to Dahyeh

Thumb bananasplit 27 October 2019, 18:58

Stp talking about Iran. Stop talking about Saudi Arabia. Stop scapegoating Lebanese leaders who should do right by their own people and their own country and put the blame somewhere else. Its their decision to be "owned" by Iran or Saudi Arabia. No one forced them to do a deal with the devil and become slaves. They are wholly responsible. For sure Iran, Saudi Arabia, USA, France etc have huge interets and huge pressure, but these men have no dignity and we need to hold them accountable for their own decisions and actions and not justify it by saying "its the fault of the big powers".

Missing formerlebaniz 27 October 2019, 22:16

This is obvious. It’s against their interest to see Lebanese economy thriving. They are able to recruit fighters willing to do Iran’s bidding for very cheap and able to provide basic service to their constituents keeping them loyal.

If Lebanon economy thrives it’ll go against all of theie interests and could pose an existential threat. Therefore it’s only logical for them to be against any kind of radical reforms. You’ll see they’d rather start a civil war and quell this revolution with blood similar to Syria before they’d be willing to allow their demise.

Thumb gebran_sons 27 October 2019, 23:21

Now Bassil and his cronies are even a bigger puppet of Hizbollah, the Lebanese face of Iran Basij occupation force. Revolution aims should make sure to bring to justice all traitors working against Lebanon freedom, independence and sovereignty; which is as important as bringing to justice all corrupt leaders and those peddling influence for personal profit.

Thumb kanaanljdid 28 October 2019, 10:53

Sans honneur, son père doit se retourner 15 fois par jour dans sa tombe.

Thumb gebran_sons 28 October 2019, 14:44

Nasrallah and Natanyahu are two sides of the same coin. They need each other to stay in power, scare people and buy more arms.