Bassil: Rotation of Power in Cabinet is Aimed at Eliminating the Other
Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil stated on Sunday that the concept of rotation of power in cabinet is aimed at retaking the Energy Ministry portfolio from the Free Patriotic Movement.
He said during a press conference: “Rotation of power in cabinet at this point in time is aimed at eliminating the other.”
“Rotation of power is sound reasoning if it is agreed upon through consultations and consensus,” he remarked.
“We were the first to make such a proposal and it was being implemented for a year-and-a-half,” he continued.
“Rotation of power is fair and should be adopted at ministries and state institutions at the start of a new presidential term,” Bassil said.
“Proposing rotation of power after the formation of a new government and two months before staging the presidential elections will obstruct the role of state institutions, harm the people's interests, and undermine the people's intelligence,” he stressed.
“Everyone knows that the whole point of proposing the rotation of power at this moment is aimed at eliminating the other,” he said.
Not only is a person being eliminated, but an entire movement, sect, and nation, stated the minister.
The achievements made at the oil sector are being targeted, Bassil declared.
“Lebanon's gas and oil wealth has been kept under wraps for years and they soon started clambering to get their hands on the Energy Ministry portfolio after our discovery of this wealth,” he added.
“Oil is Lebanon's guarantee for stability and financial success,” he stressed.
“It is a guarantee for partnership and a sign of our accomplishments over the years,” noted Bassil.
“The oil file is a new guarantee for Christians and it will help achieve balanced development that has been missing for 25 years,” he continued.
“Is it acceptable for a major Christian bloc to be deprived of a sovereign portfolio?” he wondered.
“Should they be deprived of a sovereign portfolio and be left with lesser sovereign ones?” he asked during his press conference.
“Christians cannot be deprived of anything because they are the guarantors of everything in Lebanon,” remarked the minister.
FPM chief MP Michel Aoun has rejected the rotation of portfolios in the new cabinet, delaying the line-up.
He is holding onto the energy and telecommunications ministries that are part of his share in the resigned government of caretaker Premier Najib Miqati.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/115777 |