Report: Suleiman Heading Towards Cabinet Reshuffle

The political crisis in the country has reached a deadlock as the political foes remain holding on to their stances amid reports saying that President Michel Suleiman is seeking the consent of the rival parties on a suggestion to reshuffle Prime Minister Najib Miqati's cabinet instead of collapsing it.

Sources close to Hizbullah told al-Liwaa newspaper that Suleiman is suggesting a cabinet reshuffle based on dividing portfolios equally between the March 8 camp, the March 14-led opposition and the centrists.

According to the newspaper, al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Bahia Hariri, Independent MP Tammam Salam, Former Minister Elias Murr, and Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi would be handed government portfolios.

However, sources ruled out the possibility of reaching consensus over the matter for Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun would voice their rejection as they are holding on to the current cabinet.

The opposition rejects attending the national dialogue before the government resigns and demands the formation of a neutral salvation cabinet as the only way to defuse the tension caused by the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Wissam al-Hasan on October 19.

Lebanon's political crisis worsened last month after the coalition blamed Miqati's cabinet for Hasan's killing in a car bomb blast in Beirut’s Ashrafiyeh district.

However, the March 8 camp rejects the formation of a new cabinet on allegations that there's no alternative.

Sources informed al-Joumhouria newspaper that Suleiman will announce the postponement of the all-party talks from Nov. 12 to Nov. 29.

The last dialogue session was held on September 20 at the Baabda Palace.