Report: Nouhad Mashnouq to Replace Rifi as Potential Interior Minister in New Govt.
A new agreement has reportedly been reached over the naming of a potential interior minister in a new government after the March 8 camp's rejection of former Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi, said al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat led efforts late on Friday night to reach an agreement over naming Mustaqbal MP Nouhad al-Mashnouq instead of Rifi.
The March 8 forces had informed Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam that they do not oppose Rifi acquiring any portfolio except the interior ministry.
The alleged agreement over Mashnouq will likely pave the way for the announcement of a cabinet line-up later on Saturday, reported the daily.
Jumblat's envoy caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour had held talks on Friday night with Salam on the proposal.
The Mustaqbal bloc, headed by MP Fouad Saniora, agreed on the proposal after a meeting on Friday night, while Hizbullah and other factions also reportedly agreed to the suggestion, revealed the daily.
Salam's all-embracing government was expected to be announced on Friday after the major energy ministry obstacle preventing its formation was reportedly resolved through intense contacts between Mustaqbal and the Free Patriotic Movement.
But another obstacle revolving around the interior ministry portfolio emerged on Friday morning, prompting Salam to delay announcing his cabinet's line-up.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/118813 |