Report: Jumblat, Opposition at Loggerheads over Insistence to Keep Miqati at Helm of Cabinet

The major point of contention between Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and the March 14 opposition alliance is his insistence to reappoint Prime Minister Najib Miqati if the cabinet collapses, As Safir daily reported on Tuesday.

Jumblat, a centrist, has a major role in deciding the fate of the majority alliance that makes up the current Hizbullah-led cabinet.

The March 8 majority led by Hizbullah, backed by some of Jumblat’s 12-member National Struggle Front parliamentary bloc, brought Miqati to the premiership last year after ex-PM Saad Hariri’s national unity cabinet was toppled by the Hizbullah-led alliance.

The United States and France have given a clear signal to Saudi officials that Jumblat would not accept another person as head of the government if Miqati's cabinet resigns, As Safir said.

The report came a day after the PSP announced that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns telephoned Jumblat, asking him to help form a new government while avoiding a power vacuum in the country.

“Jumblat reiterated his stance that he does not mind an agreement on forming a new government, noting that that is only possible through supporting President Michel Suleiman's efforts and his nonstop endeavor to keep dialogue channels open among the Lebanese parties and to mend the severed ties that only worsen the stalemate,” the PSP added.

French President Francois Hollande visited Beirut on Sunday during which he held talks with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman. He later traveled to Jeddah where he met with Saudi King Abdullah in the presence of Hariri.

Political tension grew last month after the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Wissam al-Hasan.

The March 14 opposition led by Hariri blamed Miqati's government for al-Hasan's killing in a car bomb blast in Beirut’s Ashrafiyeh district and demanded the formation of a neutral salvation cabinet.