Suleiman: Committing to Lebanon More Important than Hanging on to Specific Minister
President Michel Suleiman deemed on Sunday as “shameful” the ongoing delay in the formation of a new government.
He said: “Committing to Lebanon is more important than hanging on to a specific minister.”
He made his remarks in an indirect reference to the Free Patriotic Movement's demands that it retain the Energy Ministry portfolio in the new cabinet.
“Flaws have emerged in the manner in which we are managing political affairs,” Suleiman said ahead of attending the Saint Maroun feast day mass held at Mar Maroun Church in Gemmayzeh in Beirut.
The mass was headed by Beirut Maronite Bishop Boulos Matar and attended by Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, and a number of officials.
Suleiman added: “Constitutional deadlines must be met because the people's livelihoods are at risk.”
“A government that meets their aspirations should be formed,” he demanded.
“The delay is not justified because the internal conditions to form it are ripe,” noted the president.
“We must demonstrate our democratic merits,” he stressed.
“We must demonstrate that we are capable of managing our country and institutions by ourselves,” declared Suleiman.
Since his appointment in April, Salam has failed to form a new government due to the ongoing disputes between the March 8 and 14 camps.
The political forces are however leaning towards the formation of a government that grants eight ministers to each of the March 8 and 14 camps and centrists.
Disputes have emerged however over the distribution of portfolios.
The March 14 camp has been demanding that it be granted the Interior and Defense Ministries portfolios.
Matar meanwhile called during the mass for prayers “to end the wave of violence that is threatening to create strife in Lebanon.”
“Strife will fail if we remain united,” he stressed, while hailing the Bkirki treaty, “which calls for all sides to cooperate to save Lebanon from dangers that are threatening it.”
“Saving Lebanon lies in preserving its constitution and national structure and essence,” he stated.
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