BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman called Monday for the prompt formulation of the ministerial statement based upon that of the previous Cabinet to quickly move on to the implementation of modern laws and institutional reforms that would help strengthen Lebanon. Sleiman’s announcement as he presided the Cabinet’s first meeting on Tuesday at Baabda Presidential Palace left the issue of Hizbullah’s weapons to discussion during National Dialogue sessions thus avoiding political dispute over the matter when it comes to the formulation of the policy statement. 

“We will draft a new ministerial statement which will be based on the one agreed upon by the previous Cabinet,” Information Minister Tarek Mitri said following the cabinet’s meeting. 

Mitri added that the Cabinet’s members selected a committee to draw the ministerial statement draft. 

For his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed the need for the new Cabinet to operate in harmony away from political provocations and based on cooperation and partnership from all parties. 

However, Hariri added that the formation of a national unity Cabinet should not be the rule since it contradicts constitutional conventions but an exceptional case given the necessity for a unity government in the current period. 

The Cabinet’s first meeting followed the official picture of its ministers at Baabda presidential palace. 

According to political analysts, a national unity Cabinet embracing major political parties was a necessity in order to maintain stability and security as well as face future economic and social challenges. 

More than four months followed the parliamentary June 7 elections before Hariri managed to reach an agreement with the opposition over the latter’s ministerial share; however the premier’s Christian ally of the March 14 coalition, the Phalange Party, expressed on Monday its discontent with its share as the party’s politburo is expected to hold another meeting Tuesday to discuss the issue. 

On Monday, Phalange Party official and Social Affairs Minister Selim Sayegh did not take part either in the Cabinet’s session or the official photo of the Cabinet’s members. 

The Phalange Party was demanding to be granted the Education portfolio but the ministry was allotted to the Future Movement. 

Sayegh said the new Cabinet make up was the “best of the possible” adding that his party made major concessions. 

Sayegh stressed that Phalange Party head Amin Gemayel as well as the party’s popular bases were discontent with their ministerial share. 

“The Phalange Party should have a significant political weight in the Cabinet and refuses to be given a minor role,” Sayegh said; but the Phalange would not obstruct the function of the state and its institutions. 

Sayegh added that both Slei­man and Hariri contacted Ge­mayel with regard to the issue.

“The Phalange would remain a major party, whether it decided to remain with or split from the March 14 alliance,” said Sayegh. 

Hariri paid a visit on Monday the Phalange Party’s Headquarters in Saifi, in Beirut, and held talks with Gemayel. 

After Hariri’s swift visit, Gemayel headed a meeting of the party’s politburo to decide upon future steps concerning the issue. 

Gemayel’s political adviser and party official Sejaan Azzi said in a news conference that the party’s politburo would hold another meeting Wednesday to resume its discussion regarding its ministerial share in the Cabinet, adding that “all options are possible.” 

Lebanese Forces (LF) MP Antoine Zahra stressed that the LF will not forsake its alliance with the Phalange Party and will support any decision its ally takes. 

Zahra also tackled the issue of Hizbullah’s weapons saying the LF would resist attempts to legitimize the party’s arms. 

However, Zahra added that his party would facilitate the task of the committee responsible for the formulation of the ministerial statement since the issue of arms would be tackled during national dialogue sessions. 

Meanwhile, presided over by former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, the Future Bloc congratulated the Lebanese people for the formation of a new cabinet as the attendants voiced support for Hariri’s future role as its head. 

Following a meeting at Hariri’s residence in Qoreitem, the bloc issued a statement calling on political leaders to wait for favorable circumstances before proposing major issues to discussion in order to allow for the proper settling of the cabinet. 

Meanwhile, Tawhid Movement leader Wi’am Wahhab said he expected Hariri to visit Syria in the coming few days to be followed later by a visit of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt to Damascus. 

Wahhab added that Hariri’s visit was no longer subject to debate as the premier was ready to turn a new leaf in his relationship with Syria. “Hariri knows that forming a strong relationship with Syria is necessary since it will facilitate his mission as premier because he will receive full support from Syrian President Bashar Assad,” Wahhab said.

 

 

BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri called on lawmakers on Monday to report to Parliament at 10:30 a.m Thursday, to elect the members and heads of the various parliamentary commissions. 

Berri had called for elections several times previously, but polls were adjourned for lack of quorum. The deadlock over the Cabinet was said to be the main hurdle behind the repeat postponement of the parliamentary committees’ elections. 

However, with a national unity Cabinet headed by parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri announced on Monday, the elections of the parliamentary committees is not likely to face further obstacles. – The Daily Star