Aoun Claims Facilitating Work of Miqati who Should Now ‘Match Names with Portfolios’

The parties involved in the formation of the cabinet have agreed on the government’s makeup and distribution of shares and portfolios, which allows Premier-designate Najib Miqati to “match names with portfolios,” high-ranking sources from the Change and Reform bloc said.

The sources told An Nahar daily on Saturday that the bloc, which is led by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, gave a 95 percent rate for the success of the latest deal apart from Miqati’s role.

While they gave a rate of 50 percent for the success that includes Miqati’s role in the formation of the cabinet.

Despite the expressed optimism, ministerial sources told An Nahar that Aoun is still insisting on giving a cabinet seat to Caretaker Telecom Minister Charbel Nahhas and wants to give the portfolio to another member of his bloc.

As for the interior ministry portfolio, Aoun considers his suggestion for retired Internal Security Forces Maj. Gen. Marwan Charbel to lead the ministry as a concession, the sources said.

According to As Safir daily, Aoun told members of his Change and Reform bloc during a meeting they held on Friday that he has facilitated the task of Miqati despite reports that the FPM chief was hindering the government formation process.

The ball is now in the court of President Michel Suleiman and Miqati, he said.