FPM Insists on Rejecting Rotation of Ministerial Portfolios
The Free Patriotic Movement rejects the concept of rotating portfolios on claims that Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam's government will only be formed for a short period of time to oversee the presidential elections.
A prominent source in the FPM said in comments published in As Saifr newspaper published on Tuesday that the cabinet will be formed “for a period of four months maximum, wondering the necessity of the rotation of portfolios in this cabinet.”
The source pointed out that the concept of rotating portfolios should be adopted in the cabinet that follows Salam's government, which will be formed after the presidential elections.
Head of the FPM MP Michel Aoun had previously stated that he opposes the rotation of portfolios.
Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil held talks on Monday with President Michel Suleiman and Salam to discuss the cabinet formation process.
Sources described the meeting as “negative” as Bassil insisted during talks with Salam on handing over the Telecommunications and Energy ministries, which are currently held by the FPM, to the party without offering any alternatives.
However, Salam, who was appointed in April, held onto the concept of “fair, balanced and comprehensive rotation of portfolios.”
The cabinet formation process was put on the front burner after Speaker Nabih Berri proposed a revised 8-8-8 government formula and Suleiman said he would form a so-called neutral cabinet if the political rivals don't agree on an all-embracing government within ten days.
Amid the Lebanese Forces' rejection of Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet, the March 14 camp has reportedly accepted the 8-8-8 formula in principle, but it is awaiting answers pertaining to the ministerial policy statement and the rotation of portfolios among political parties.
The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists and March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/114959 |