Mustaqbal MPs Reject Vacuum, Hold onto Neutral Cabinet Demand

Al-Mustaqbal bloc lawmakers reiterated on Thursday their demand for the formation of a neutral government, accusing Hizbullah of causing the vacuum in Lebanon's state institutions.

In remarks to local radio and TV stations, the MPs said President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam should form a government made up of non political figures.

“We want a neutral and non political cabinet so that it … resolves the security and economic problems,” MP Jean Oghassabian said.

“Suleiman can't sit idle and watch the country head to the abyss,” he said.

Oghassabian accused Hizbullah of causing the vacuum in the institutions to create a new political equation.

MP Atef Majdalani also defended Suleiman in what reports said was a move to form a fait accompli cabinet.

“The president is committed the Constitution and defending it,” he said.

“We want a non-political cabinet to limit the suffering of the Lebanese,” Majdalani added.

“We have democracy and a Constitution. Let's implement them,” Suleiman said Wednesday.

“Do politicians make the nation and unite it?” Suleiman asked in a clear hint the Constitution does not state that the cabinet should be made up of representatives of political parties.

MP Ammar Houri also warned against vacuum, saying “we have no choice but to respect the Constitution and form a government as soon as possible.”

“Since day one we are asking for the formation of a neutral cabinet that goes out of the sharp division between the political parties, he said.

Despite such calls made by members of the March 14 alliance, which al-Mustaqbal is part of, the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp is calling for a cabinet based on the 9-9-6 formula.

Such an equation gives the March 8 and 14 coalitions nine ministers each and centrists six.