FPM Urges Franjieh to Turn 'New Page' with Aoun
The Free Patriotic Movement called on Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh to display readiness to turn a new leaf of relations between the two parties and urged him to deal with President Michel Aoun with “pragmatism and flexibility”, As Safir daily reported Wednesday.
“Franjieh is invited to deal with the Presidency with some pragmatism and flexibility, and to show readiness to open a new page just like the Kataeb party did following the election session (of President Michel Aoun). Only then will he be received with understanding and positivity from the General's (Aoun) part,” a prominent FPM source told the daily.
“If the real problem lies in the allotment of a ministerial portfolio, then it is a solvable matter,” the source pointed out.
On the latest call of Aoun where he extended his hand to political parties after inviting “those who have concerns” to meet with him at the Baabda Palace, the source explained: “President Aoun deliberately made his call a general one and invited parties to tackle their concerns with the President.” He did not specify anyone in the invitation.
“Addressing a direct invitation to the Marada chief to visit the Presidential Palace would have involved a veiled accusation that Franjieh is responsible for the obstruction of the cabinet formation,” added the source.
According to media reports, Franjieh wants a direct invitation from Aoun to discuss the stalled cabinet line-up and the allotment of ministerial portfolios.
It is worth noting that Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil gave a positive signal when he said on Tuesday that the Marada Movement must be represented in the new cabinet.
Bassil stressed on Tuesday the need for the representation of all parties, he said: “We call for the representation of everyone in the government – Kataeb (Party), Marada (Movement), Syrian Social National Party, (MP Talal) Arslan and March 8's Sunnis – even in a 24-member cabinet.”
Franjieh and Aoun were both running in the presidential race that saw the election of Aoun in October 31.
Aoun's election as president and Hariri's appointment as premier-designate have raised hopes that Lebanon can begin tackling challenges including a stagnant economy, a moribund political class and the influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.
But Aoun and Hariri are still struggling to put together a new cabinet amid conflicting demands from the political forces that are seeking to join the unity government.
Horsetrading is still revolving around the so-called services-related ministerial portfolios, mainly public works and telecommunications.
Speaker Nabih Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, is clinging to the finance and public works portfolios while also insisting that the Marada Movement must get a key portfolio.
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