Cabinet Crisis Eclipses Hizbullah, Mustaqbal Dialogue
The government crisis is expected to have a heavy toll on the ongoing dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah.
According to An Nahar newspaper published Sunday, the upcoming round of talks between the political arch-foes will be affected by the cabinet crisis.
Officials representing the two parties will hold a new meeting on Monday.
Ministerial sources told the daily that Hizbullah isn't expected to take a lenient stance that would positively impact its ally the Free Patriotic Movement.
The sources said that FPM chief MP Michel Aoun is seeking a settlement before easing the government's deadlock.
Aoun's recent stance regarding the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials plunged the country into further crises amid the ongoing presidential vacuum.
He bluntly rejected any attempt to extend the terms of the officials as he has been lobbying for political consensus on the appointment of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, his son-in-law, as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.
Roukoz's tenure ends in October while the term of army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji expires at the end of September.
Despite the tension, the dialogue between the two rivals seemed to be on track.
Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal officials have been meeting in Ain el-Tineh since December to defuse sectarian hostility linked to the war in Syria.
H.K.
14 June 2015, 10:57
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By destroying National Unity and the living together, Ebola has committed its biggest crime towards the Lebanese people.
14 June 2015, 15:43
11
The slaves of Iran and Syria will not accept to see Syria getting destroyed alone, these same slaves will not accept that Iran goes broke alone, they must drag little Lebanon into the misfortunes of both oppressors. Calling them traitors is not enough, I am sorry but I can only call them snakes.
14 June 2015, 23:39
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You do know he is acting like a mafia boss? A mafia boss not backed by the church. A rogue mafia boss? Many a catholic bishop or local clergy has backed tyrants. I don't see it in this case when General "Don" Aoun has distanced himself from the church. He knows he doesn't have the christian backing and like many a Lebanese official, allied himself to a backer of his "cause"? I truly believe that Lebanon is the ONE true democracy of the Arab world. You just have to make it yours. May peace be with Lebanon and Israel. I am a non religion for all you Jew haters.
