Geagea Says 6-9-9 Cabinet Formula Would Paralyze Country
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Wednesday that talks are ongoing to end the current deadlock in the country, considering that the 6-9-9 cabinet formula would paralyze the country if adopted.
“Our stance concerning the government formation is clear,” Gaegea told reporters at Bkirki after hold a behind-closed doors meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to offer his congratulations on the occasion of Christmas.
He criticized Hizbullah without naming it, saying that the party is “now giving examples concerning the national unity but forgot about it when it took a sole decision to engage in battles in Syria.”
Hizbullah, a long-time ally of President Bashar Assad's government, has been increasingly involved in the Syrian conflict now its third year, with fighters battling alongside the Syrian army against the mostly Sunni Muslim rebel fighters.
Geagea said that the country need an active cabinet.
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post.
Asked about the upcoming presidential elections, Geagea told reporters that “it's time for the presidency to regain it's role, which has been marginalized during the past 23 years.”
“The term of President (Michel) Suleiman was an exception.”
Suleiman's six-year tenure ends in May 2014.
The Christian leader called on lawmakers to assume their responsibility and participate in a parliamentary session set to elect a new president.
He expressed optimism, saying: “the important thing is to exert efforts to reach safety.”
Geagea said “the constitutional life should be rectified,” considering that any constitutional government requires the approval of Suleiman and Salam.
The President had recently suggested the formation of a government capable of staging the elections regardless if it does not enjoy parliament's confidence.
The March 8 alliance however rejected the proposal, deeming it unconstitutional.
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat had proposed the formation of a new cabinet in which the March 8 and 14 alliances would get nine ministers each and six ministers would be given to the centrists – Suleiman, Salam and Jumblat.
This formula, which the March 8 alliance agreed on, prevents a certain party from controlling the government by giving veto power to Hizbullah and its team and another veto power to March 14, he said.
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