Aoun Insists on Naming Shiite Minister as Berri Threatens to Nominate Abou Jamra
The latest obstacle that is hindering the cabinet formation process is President Michel Aoun's insistence on naming a Shiite minister and Speaker Nabih Berri's condition that he be also given the right to nominate a Christian minister, a media report said on Sunday.
“After the name of Karim Qobeissi surfaced as a pro-Aoun Shiite candidate, Speaker Nabih Berri insisted that he should nominate a Christian candidate,” the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat quoted informed sources as saying.
Sources close to Berri have reportedly warned that the speaker might nominate the Greek Orthodox Aoun ally-turned-foe Issam Abou Jamra, who has become a fierce opponent of Aoun in recent years.
“Berri believes that the Shiite duo (AMAL Movement and Hizbullah) must have a say in the Shiite candidate that Aoun chooses,” the sources added.
The Berri-Aoun tensions have renewed in recent days after the president blamed the weakness that has hit state institutions on the repeated extensions of the parliament's term. Berri hit back swiftly, saying the lengthy presidential void is the main culprit.
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