Gemayel Denies Direct Contacts with March 8, Says Coordination Ongoing with March 14

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Friday that contacts are ongoing with the March 14 allies and President Michel Suleiman regarding the cabinet formation process.

“Our stance from any government lineup will be encompassing and in coordination with the March 14 alliance to reach the required goals,” Gemayel said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

He denied media reports saying that the March 8 coalition discussed with the Phalange party the 8-8-8 cabinet lineup, saying: “The March 8 alliance didn't contact us nor discuss the matter with us.”

However, Gemayel pointed out that “indirect contacts are ongoing with the political foes.”

Prime Minister-designate Tammam 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.

The 8-8-8 government lineup awaits that March 14 approval, while al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc has set a series of questions regarding the cabinet's ministerial statement, the rotation of portfolios and the veto power.

The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists, March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.

Asked about the articles that the Phalange party rejects to include in any ministerial statement, Gemayel said that his “party doesn't care about the shape of the government but is interested in its ministerial statement and its ability to implement it.”

“We're concerned with achieving the nation's higher interest,” he added.