Aridi: No Convincing Justification for Delay in Government Formation
Caretaker Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi stated on Friday that there have been no convincing justifications given over the delay in the government formation.
He told Voice of Lebanon radio: “It appears that the team charged with the forming the government does not trust its members … as if they are waging a battle over the distribution of portfolios.”
He noted however that significant progress took place in recent days when an agreement was reached over the number of ministers and how the portfolios will be distributed.
Asked about his recent visit to Syria, Aridi replied that it was aimed at discussing general political affairs, not the government formation.
“If this situation persists then it would appear that the team responsible for forming the government is not fit for governing,” the minister stressed.
Addressing Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s relationship with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, he said that contacts between them have been restored a short while ago.
“Jumblat is prepared to do anything to avert strife in Lebanon,” Aridi stressed.
Regarding Hizbullah’s possession of arms, he said: “Weapons on the internal scene are forbidden and their use during the May 7, 2008, incidents was a grave sin.”
“If you want to tackle this issue, you should address the reasons for their existence given the international resolutions,” he stated.
The minister advocated tackling the weapons possession through dialogue as demanded by the March 14 camp.
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