Salam in Talks with Rival Blocs, Seeks Formation of Cabinet ahead of February
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is holding talks with various parliamentary blocs to bridge the gap between the rival parties and end the political stalemate in the country.
Al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Thursday that Salam and President Michel Suleiman are seeking the formation of a neutral cabinet to avoid vacuum if a political government wasn't formed ahead of February.
Sources told the newspaper that the two officials are seeking the approval of the political foes in order to save the country from any vacuum if the rival parties weren't able to elect a president within the constitutional timeframe.
Suleiman's six-year tenure ends in May 2014, but the constitutional period to elect a new head of state begins on March 25, two months prior to the expiration of the president's mandate.
According to the daily Salam is discussing the matter with the rival blocs away from media spot light.
However, An Nahar newspaper reported that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat is holding onto his proposal to form a new cabinet in which the March 8 and 14 alliances would get nine ministers each and six ministers would be given to the centrists – Suleiman, Salam and Jumblat.
This formula, which Hizbullah agreed on, prevents a certain party from controlling the government by giving veto power to Hizbullah and its team and another veto power to March 14, he said.
Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post.
An Nahar daily said that Suleiman insists on the formation of a new cabinet to oversee the upcoming presidential election.
19 December 2013, 08:27
124
yalla ya mr Salam. khalisna ba2a. pick a team of your choosing and take the premiership. you have the support of the president and the people. you can't be more illegitimate than the current government. people back you and that's what matters.
M8 wants a governement that won't prosecute hezbollah and its members for their numerous assassinations in lebanon and ongoing murders in syria. who in his right mind would accept this unless he/she gets money in return? who would sell the souls of the martyrs unless he/she is a thug?
yalla tamam! take over and lead our lives. we need smart, competent, and honest people like you.
19 December 2013, 09:07
104
Howdy howdy benzona:)) The vultures came out in force yesterday.
19 December 2013, 10:44
611
Salam has the majority opinion ... and there is a solid majority in favor of the 9-9-6 cabinet formula guaranteeing everyone a veto.
With delay after delay Salam has only stoked the fires of bickering, slander and hatred ... He has truly been a failure ...
Salam's delay only guarantees that the presidential elections are now in jeopardy ... The leverage he had will be submerged in a political quagmire.
19 December 2013, 14:28
112
@FT : you accuse Mustaqbal of "stalling" the country ? Based on what ? Hezbollah is dismantling the entire country, institutions and political "calendar" to create this current vacuum.
What we are living today is the result of Hezbollah's plan to act freely without being held accountable or answering to anyone. So that they can go to war in Syria and set up camp wherever they see fit.
Your accusations are based on HAWA. Same stupid baseless rhetoric as Aoun.
And FPM sabotages itself every time Aoun speaks up and says attrocities ! If Aoun truly believes in the future of the country, then he should be as harsh against Hezbollah as he is against M14. Otherwise, he's just another puppet.
And all cabinet formulas are wrong. Any formula that gives veto power to anyone is a failed formula. Majority controls the cabinet and that's all ! Otherwise we will be stuck in the same loop of achieving nothing !
19 December 2013, 17:17
33
Yes, and you are incapable of contradicting me ...
Chou you're creating new account it seems to fake vote like you normally do in our elections ! Vive la democracie Aouniste !
19 December 2013, 21:39
10
sure flamecatcher! who benefits from the vacuum and anarchy? hezbollah....
19 December 2013, 17:28
33
exactly FT... how long must the lebanese endure this joke? if Salam cannot form a cabinet then resign already.
19 December 2013, 20:04
01
Mr. Salam, there comes a time in people's life when decisions must be taken, there are times when one just cannot play it safe all the time, but take the plunge irrespective. No one sad that what awaits you is anywhere easy nor simple, but if you read, you will notice that by and large, people are on your side, not against you. Both M sides don't want you to form your government, both will try to subdue you with a myriad of plans and counter plans. Go Sir, make your cabinet, one of professionals, start work, and let the pieces start falling into place, day by day, you will pull through, together with us, the people and the nation, it's about time Sir.
19 December 2013, 20:38
00
u dream, they'll better burn the country down like bashar is doing in syria. Only chance we have is that the christians unite together and oppose this pseudo-resistance. But that's me dreaming awake...
