Saniora Meets al-Rahi: Constitution States There Can Be No Power Vacuum in Lebanon

The head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora stated on Monday that the current government “is causing a problem in Lebanon that needs to be tackled.”

He reiterated after holding talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi the need for the formation of a new government, stressing: “The constitution stipulates that there can be no power vacuum in Lebanon.”

He made his remark in response to claims that toppling the current cabinet before the formation of a new one will leave the country in a political vacuum.

“A new government can be formed at this time. We are calling for the formation of a neutral cabinet, whose members will not run in the parliamentary elections,” he explained.

“There are clear steps that indicate how to form a new government. A state of emergency can be declared in case of a vacuum,” he remarked.

“We want to ease the tensions because failure to do so will lead to more dangers. We want the formation of a government that will be able to stage the parliamentary elections in 2013,” Saniora said from Bkirki.

“We stressed to al-Rahi the need for a real initiative that will help ease the tensions,” added the former premier.

Commenting on the national dialogue, Saniora noted: “We were taking part at the all-party talks while others, who were also present at the meetings, were contradicting agreements reached at the dialogue and boasting about meddling in the Syrian crisis and sending a drone over Israel.”

He made his statement in reference to Hizbullah's acknowledgment that it had sent fighters to Syria in recent months and a drone over Israel in early October.

Both sides are operating according to different agendas, continued Saniora.

“Dialogue is essential, but we need to return to principles and respect the constitution,” he stated.

“Our openness to President Michel Suleiman is endless, but we oppose political maneuvers that waste the people's time,” he added.

“Next year's elections demand the formation of a competent government that can hold the elections and we will follow up on this issue until we reach this goal,” said the Mustaqbal MP.

The March 14-led opposition has been demanding the resignation of the government in the wake of the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan on October 19 in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh district.

The camp and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat accused Syria of being behind the crime.

The opposition also blamed the government, which is comprised of mainly pro-Syria allies, of covering up the crime.

It announced its boycott of all government-related activity, including the national dialogue, until its demands are met.