Berri Warns of Hindering Cabinet Formation, Says Crises Born from Local Factions

Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Wednesday from impeding the cabinet formation process, stressing that the concept of rotation in ministerial portfolios should be inclusive.

“We are used to hold others responsible for our crises but it's clear that the problem is from within the local parties,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

The speaker pointed out that the rival parties failure to resolve the ongoing row over Prime Minister-delegation Tammam Salam's cabinet lineup would lead to either the formation of a neutral cabinet or a political de facto government that might be boycotted by the main Christian parties.

“Forming an all-embracing cabinet is half way to staging the presidential elections on time... Whoever wants the presidential elections to be carried out should seek the formation of a consensual government,” Berri, head of the AMAL movement said.

He pointed out that the matter will have a positive impact on the presidential elections.

Berri expressed fear over the “ongoing obstruction,” noting that he is waiting for new developments in this regards.

He called on the rival parties not to “waste the golden chance to form a cabinet that includes everyone.”

“If it was necessary for me to intervene to facilitate the cabinet's lineup I would, but till now am standing my grounds,” Berri said.

The cabinet formation process reached an impasse after being put on front burner after Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun insisted that his bloc retain the Energy and Telecommunications Ministries portfolios, currently held by caretaker Ministers Jebran Bassil and Nicolas Sehnaoui respectively. In addition to his rejection to the concept of rotation of ministerial portfolios.

Reports said that President Michel Suleiman and Salam could resort to a neutral government or an all-embracing cabinet excluding the FPM if Aoun remains adamant to reject the rotation of portfolios.