Aoun and Berri’s views diverge on structure, timing of cabinet formation
Jul 23, 2009
BEIRUT: Prospects diverged on Wednesday with regard to the timing of the next cabinet’s formation and its structure between opposition allies, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun. While Berri expressed optimism regarding the quick formation of the next cabinet and denied claims that the opposition called for veto power, Aoun demanded that the minority be granted proportional representation when it comes to the cabinet’s structure.
Berri said Wednesday he was optimistic regarding the formation of the next cabinet before the end of the month given the Syrian-Saudi rapprochement.
Following talks with President Michel Sleiman at Baabda Palace, Berri reiterated that the opposition didn’t demand veto power but was rather calling for a partnership and unity cabinet.
“Where did you hear the opposition is insisting on veto power; everyone is talking about a unity and partnership cabinet,” Berri told reporters.
Tackling the security incidents in the south, the speaker said Israel was undeniably meddling in the relationship between UNIFIL and the Lebanese.
Over the weekend, 14 peacekeepers operating as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured when protesters confronted them near the southern village of Khirbit Silim.
About 100 residents attempted to impede an investigation into the explosions last week of a suspected arms depot in the same village.
“Israel is making use of the incidents in the south to create a gap between Lebanon and the UNIFIL,” Berri said.
Berri added that the ties with the UN peacekeeping forces dated back to 1978.
Also, the Liberation and Development bloc headed by Berri stressed on Wednesday the need to facilitate Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s task of forming a national-unity cabinet.
Tackling the positive impact of Syrian-Saudi rapprochement on the domestic situation in Lebanon, Amal MPs issued a statement following the bloc’s meeting, urging Lebanese leaders to benefit from the positive regional developments.
However, Aoun didn’t share Berri’s optimism regarding the cabinet’s formation and urged the parliamentary majority to reach a domestic agreement on its make-up on Wednesday.
After the weekly meeting of his Change and Reform bloc, Aoun said “he and Berri were not on the same wavelength,” adding that he demanded “proportional representation rather than veto power.”
“I hope he [Berri] is right, and I would be glad if the government is formed before the end of the month,” Aoun said.
“We don’t know who is forming the cabinet and where; enough waiting for foreign intervention,” Aoun told reporters.
Tackling Hizbullah’s arsenal, Aoun asked Lebanese parties to halt discussions on the resistance’s weapons given Israel’s clear military advantage.
Aoun also criticized the international community for failing to prevent Israel from violating Lebanese sovereignty.
Concerning Israel’s call to amend UNIFIL’s rules of engagement, Aoun said the peacekeeping force should halt the Israeli violations prior to amending UN Resolution 1701.
Meanwhile, Aoun’s ally, Hizbullah number two Naim Qassem praised Hariri’s effort to form a national-unity government.
Qassem said a cabinet which grants the opposition real partnership in decision making helps Lebanon’s progress and development.
Concerning the Israeli threats, Qassem stressed that the resistance proved that it was capable of deterring Israeli aggressions following “Israel’s defeat in the summer 2006 war.”
In an interview with Qatari daily Al-Watan, Qassem also underscored the importance of Hizbullah’s efforts regarding the reconstruction of areas demolished during the war.
Tackling Hariri’s role with regard to the cabinet formation, the March 14 forces along with Sleiman voiced hope on Wednesday for the quick formation of a national-unity cabinet without pre-conditions so as to facilitate the premier-designate’s task.
The March 14 Force’s “Lebanon First” parliamentary bloc stressed on Wednesday the need for all political sides to adhere to peaceful tones so as to facilitate the cabinet’s formation.
Following a meeting headed by Hariri, the bloc issued a statement praising the premier-designate’s determination and openness to all political groups during his discussions on the cabinet.
Slamming the recent Israeli threats and violations, the bloc accused Israel of attempting to amend Resolution 1701, adding that its repeated violations of Lebanese territories constituted an act of aggression against Lebanon’s sovereignty as well as UNIFIL.
Similarly, the March 14 coalition’s General Secretariat also held a meeting on Wednesday in which they expressed support for Hariri’s efforts to form a government, adding that the coalition imposed “no conditions” on the cabinet’s make-up.
A statement issued after the coalition’s weekly meeting stressed that the March 14 Forces didn’t tie the government’s formation to any conditions “except for the provisions of the state itself.”
March 14 MPs also expressed support for Resolution 1701 and criticized Israel’s calls to revise UNIFIL’s rules of engagement.
Sleiman on Wednesday urged all political parties to make concessions in order to ensure Lebanon’s best interests, a reference to ongoing deliberations on the upcoming cabinet’s structure.
During a meeting with a delegation of Lebanese immigrants at the Presidential Palace, Sleiman underscored the importance of domestic dialogue free of foreign intervention and urged for the prompt formation of the next cabinet.
“I call on the Lebanese to make concessions in order to establish a state through dialogue without depending on other countries,” Sleiman said.
The president also emphasized the need to enhance national unity and stability so as to face the current Israeli threats and spy networks, which he reiterated were a clear violation to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.