Cabinet Line-up in Coming Days despite Possible Boycott

Premier-designate Tammam Salam is expected on Wednesday to make small changes to the government line-up that he will likely announce this week despite a scenario of boycott by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

After the last-minute check-up on the names and portfolios, Salam is expected to head to Baabda Palace to propose it to President Michel Suleiman.

After they both agree on it, they will brief Speaker Nabih Berri and would announce the formation decrees.

Aoun on Tuesday reiterated that the formation of a so-called “de facto cabinet” would violate the 1943 National Pact, an unwritten agreement that laid the foundation of Lebanon as a multi-confessional state.

He stressed that sects must be represented in a “fair manner” in the cabinet lineup.

Aoun continues to hold onto his rejection of a cabinet based on the rotation of portfolios despite an agreement reached among the other major factions.

But An Nahar daily quoted informed sources as saying on Wednesday that Salam is committed to the Constitution.

The newspaper also quoted Salam as telling Speaker Nabih Berri that he exerted strong efforts in the past ten months to form the cabinet. “I don't understand the reason for these obstacles.”

His comment to Berri came after the speaker reiterated that he would no longer interfere in the government formation process and that he suggested that the PM-designate continue with his efforts to overcome the obstacles.

The speaker was asked by his visitors what his stance would be if the FPM and Hizbullah ministers boycotted the cabinet.

“I won't answer such a question now because first of all I would look at the cabinet line-up and check its constitutionality to make a final stance,” Berri said.

Berri's remark came amid different scenarios. among them is the pullout of Aoun's ministers from the cabinet and with them the rest of the March 8 ministers.

If such a move was made, then Salam would announce his resignation, the sources said.

This would force Suleiman to hold new binding consultations with parliamentary blocs to name a new prime minister.