Berri Sticks to Rotation of Portfolios but Says Policy Statement Should be Left Out of Consultations
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Speaker Nabih Berri has backed the rotation of all portfolios in the new government but said discussions on the policy statement should be left until after the formation of the government.
In remarks to several local dailies published on Friday, Berri reiterated his support for the 8-8-8 formula and the rotation of portfolios in all ministries “without any exception.”
But the speaker said the policy statement, which is a major point of contention between the March 8 and 14 alliances, should be left out of the current negotiations to form the cabinet.
“I agree with President Michel Suleiman on the postponement of a deal on the policy statement although this does not mean it would not cause a problem,” he said.
Al-Mustaqbal MP Nuhad al-Mashnouq has said that the March 14 camp has set several conditions to its approval of the 8-8-8 formula, among them is the adoption of the Baabda Declaration in the policy statement and giving up the army-people-resistance equation.
Such a condition is likely not to be approved by March 8.
Al-Mashnouq said that March 14 had several others questions that lied on the shape of the government, rotation of all ministerial portfolios, and the right of Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam for veto to reject any name proposed.
But Berri said in his remarks published on Friday that “there are no answers and questions.”
“There is dialogue between the different parties.”
He reiterated his rejection to isolate any side.
Suleiman does not accept the isolation of Hizbullah or any other political party, the speaker said.
Berri expressed fears over the security situation, which he said should speed up the government formation process.
“We should put an end to the political immorality, which is blowing up the security situation,” he said.
10 January 2014, 08:35
96
Berri, tell your boss Nasrallah to take his BS equation slogan and his thug militia back to Iran. They can do all the Resisting they want on behalf of the Ayatollah's and the Assad's from there.
10 January 2014, 09:56
02
Rotation of portfolios? How about assigning each portfolio to a competent person for a change? There is no hope for our beloved country...
10 January 2014, 10:23
63
Forming a qovernment will change nothing, formulating a policy statement will change nothing.
HA is to ensure that the Assad regime does not fall, it will continue along this path no matter what.
All it needs is ligitamcy for its actions, it believes an all embracing cabinate will provide this litgitmicy mainly for external consumption. Also HA being a part of the government will be able to handle the situation on the ground when the STL hearings begin, nothing more nothing less.
10 January 2014, 10:52
02
why this thug is still in office since the war? doesn't mean he is the best Syrian dog and most faithful? nabih berry is the only one who needs an urgent change...
10 January 2014, 12:45
82
geagea and gemayels are at least patriots, not like this snake licking syrian and iranian boots...
10 January 2014, 12:50
12
Hold up. There is a difference between the head of a political party and an official government post. Apples and oranges. Name ONE m14 or even an m8 for that matter that has held an official government post as long as Berri has.
10 January 2014, 13:22
101
Flamethrower: Please, stick to the content of the article instead of digressing and hijacking the site to serve your despicable agenda. I urge you to respect the rules of engagement and debate. Please, don't force me to vote you down!
10 January 2014, 13:32
91
those are a7zeb ya lamba not a Gvt. position ... meaning let him stay 500 years on amal movement but not as Lebanese Speaker...
deretlak ya Socrates?
10 January 2014, 13:04
19
I'm sure there's a new generation of leaders and hopefully ones that only have lebanon's best interest at heart i don't care what religion they are i have nothing against anyones religion i just want leaders who will fix lebanon for the lebanese.
10 January 2014, 20:01
15
Khalass Mr. Berri, you got what you wanted that simple. You and your other mafia partners, be it M8 or M14, you made your deal, irrespective of the wish of the majority of the Lebanese people who truly and genuinely want change, and have shown courage in asking for it. Yes, Mr. Berri, you've confirmed that indeed, Lebanon belongs to the rotten politicians of Lebanon, and definitely not to the people. The day will come since we Lebanese cannot change things in this country, we will see it done by our growing refugee population, Syrians and Palestinians. No, they won't ask you guys for change, they'll just shove you aside you bunch of mafiosis, that is if at all you'll have the time to dash off before they lynch you all. M8 and M14 are as dirty as the other.
