Mustaqbal-FPM Talks Push Cabinet Formation Forward and Bassil's Portfolio Remains a Problem

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun agreed to nominate an Energy minister other than current officeholder Jebran Bassil, solving the deadlock that has lately haunted the cabinet's formation.

However, a new challenge arose concerning which portfolio will be assigned to Bassil.

Sources revealed to al-Jadeed television that the Ministry of Energy will be handed to Tashnag Party MP Arthur Nazarian.

"Al-Mustaqbal bloc came forward with this suggestion and it was a result of talks between Bassil and (former Primer Minister Saad Hariri's chief of staff) Nader Hariri,” al-Jadeed said.

Earlier on Thursday, the prevailing political atmosphere signaled a near announcement of the long awaited council of ministers, however, disagreements over some details in the formation process delayed this step, LBCI television said.

"The problem lies in insisting on naming Bassil for the Foreign Ministry, which would prevent the nomination of a Maronite Minister of Defense, in this case, it would prevent assigning the Defense Ministry to President Michel Suleiman's adviser Khalil Hrawi,” LBCI elaborated.

Radio Voice of Lebanon (100.5) added: “And in case Bassil was not named the new Foreign Minister, the FPM insists on nominating him for the Transportation and Public Works Ministry.”

"This stance is faced with Speaker Nabih Berri's rejection who insists on nominating his own candidates to both the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance.”

LBCI revealed another difficulty that is awaiting to be dealt with and which concerns the Sunni figure al-Mustaqbal Party will be naming for the Ministry of Interior.

"After both (former ISF chief) Ashraf Rifi and (al-Mustaqbal bloc) MP Ahmed Fatfat were rejected as candidates for the Ministry of Interior for being provocative figures, MP Samir al-Jisr was nominated. But al-Jisr was later ruled out as a nominee for matters related to the delicate situation in (the northern city of) Tripoli.”

Ongoing talks are currently discussing the names of former MP Salim Diab and current al-Mustaqbal lawmaker Jamal al-Jarrah for the Interior Ministry, according to the same source.

LBCI revealed that March 14 candidates for the new cabinet so far are MP Michel Pharaon for the Ministry of Tourism, Phalange Party official Sejaan Qazzi for the Ministry of Information, MP Butros Harb for the Telecommunications Ministry, former head of Beirut Bar Association Ramzi Jreij as a Justice Minister and Alain Hkayyem for the Ministry of Economy.

As for March 8 coalition's nominees, they include caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil for the Ministry of Finance, Nazarian for the Ministry of Energy, Marada Movement's Rony Araiji for the Ministry of Labor, while Berri is expected to name a candidate for the Transportation and Public Works Ministry, according to LBCI.

The TV channel noted that the Education Ministry is pending FPM's nomination of a Foreign Minister, and it will be given to Bassil or caretaker Culture Minister Gaby Layyoun.

Centrist ministers, meanwhile, include PM-designate Tammam Salam, current deputy premier Samir Moqbel for the same position, Mohammed al-Mashnouq for the Ministry of Culture, National Struggle Front MP Akram Shehayeb for the Ministry of Agriculture, caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour for the Ministry of Health, and Abdul al-Muttaleb Hennawi, who will be President Michel Suleiman's candidate.

"If no accord was reached on the final formula on Friday morning, an inclusive political cabinet will be announced and those who do not approve of it can either refrain from participating in the new government or submit their resignation,” sources told LBCI.

"But Match 8 sources criticized these statements, describing them as political maneuvering.”

Meanwhile, MTV quoted other sources as saying that difficulties are still arising, especially concerning the portfolio that will be handed to Bassil.