Salam Reportedly Suggested 'Civil War' Cabinet amid Denial of 'Fait Accompli' Proposal

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has reportedly proposed to President Michel Suleiman a 14-member cabinet that was strongly criticized by Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat for being a “civil war plan.”

Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted sources as saying that Salam made the proposal during a meeting they held at Baabda palace last week. But when the president informed Jumblat about it, the PSP chief replied: “This is a civil war plan.”

The report came amid a denial by Salam that he had made any 'Fait Accompli' proposal to Suleiman without consulting the parties that nominated him for the premiership.

As Safir quoted Salam as telling a delegation from the March 14 alliance that visited him at his residence in al-Msaitbeh on Saturday that the rumors about names being circulated to hold the portfolios were not true.

He stressed that his sole concern was to bring a homogeneous group to the government.

Salam said upon his nomination that he would form a cabinet of non-political figures to supervise the upcoming parliamentary elections. He dubbed it a “government of national interest.”

But the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance continues to hold onto its demand for a national unity cabinet while the March 14 coalition backs Salam in his proposal to form a government that does not include candidates for the elections or provocative political figures.

A high-ranking official in the Free Patriotic Movement ruled out March 8's approval of a technocrat government, telling As Safir daily it will never provide a political cover to such a cabinet.

Jumblat, who is a centrist, has also warned he would not participate in any government that does not include all the major political parties.

His stance holds particular weight given that the PSP leader can deliver or deny a vote of confidence in parliament.

As Safir quoted sources as saying that Jumblat informed on Sunday Speaker Nabih Berri, who is the head of the Amal movement, and Hizbullah that he continues to hold onto his position.

Amal and Hizbullah representatives along with officials from the FPM, Marada and the Tashnag party visited Salam on Saturday to inform him about their stance.

A member of the delegation told An Nahar newspaper that Salam proposed a neutral cabinet. But the March 8 officials reiterated their call for the formation of a government in which political parties are represented according to their weight in parliament.

The two sides agreed to continue consultations but did not set a new date for their next meeting, the source said.