Geagea Rejects any Attempt to Form a Political Government

Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea rejected any side-talk or attempt to form a cabinet of political figures, urging PM-designate Tammam Salam to discuss the thorny matter with all the factions concerned without exception, An Nahar daily quoted him as saying.

“To facilitate the mission of the PM-designate to form a new cabinet, we agreed primarily on the formation of a neutral technocrat government because its duty is to hold the elections, and to make Lebanon emerge from the dark tunnel,” stressed Geagea.

Criticizing any attempt to line-up a political cabinet which the March 14 alliance strongly rejects, he said: “We have been hearing lately talks about a cabinet of political figures who are not running for the elections. That is supposed to mean forming it of politicians, thus reverting back to old habits,” he said.

The LF leader said its unlikely to be able to be form a cabinet in light of the current positions, saying: “I don’t think its possible to form a government in light of the current orientation.”

He urged Salam to hold discussions with all factions without exception.

Salam was tasked by President Michel Suleiman with forming the new cabinet after he received the support of 124 out of 128 MPs during binding consultations at Baabda palace.

But conflicting demands have so far prevented the formation of the government. The Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance wants a cabinet of political figures to be able to address security concerns while the March 14 coalition is after cabinet members who are not running in the parliamentary elections.