Cabinet’s Photo Expected to be Taken Soon as Lineup Reaches Final Stages
The protocol picture marking the advent of Najib Miqati's government could be taken at the doorsteps of the Baabda Palace over the weekend after major parties overcame the main hurdles preventing the formation of the cabinet.
On Thursday, the media sounded optimistic about the possible formation of the government in the next few days after the leaders of the March 8 forces held ice-breaking talks a day earlier.
Al-Liwaa daily said that the line-up would be ready for approval by President Michel Suleiman and for the photo taking session at the presidential palace by Saturday if agreement was reached on the name of the controversial 6th Maronite minister.
As Safir newspaper confirmed that the parties involved in the formation of the cabinet were still trying to reach a deal on the 6th minister whom Suleiman should name. An Nahar said that Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun was dealing “positively” with it.
Discussion on some of the details of Aoun’s shares and demands, including his efforts to keep Caretaker Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas in his post, is also underway.
Aoun had been demanding that his son-in-law, caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, and Nahhas retain their posts.
But following Wednesday’s ice-breaking talks, the FPM chief and Miqati launched efforts to reach a consensual decision on the name of the telecom minister after the two sides agreed to keep Bassil at the head of the energy ministry.
Bassil is expected to visit Miqati on Thursday to continue discussions.
A draft line-up includes Bassil for energy, Gaby Layyoun for telecom, Chakib Qortbawi for justice, Charbel Nahhas for labor, Fadi Abboud for tourism, Fayez Ghosn for the defense portfolio, Sobhi Yaghi for youth and sports, Ghazi Aridi for public works, Alaeddine Terro for social Affairs, Talal Arslan for the displaced, two other ministers for the Tashnag (industry portfolio and one state minister), Selim Karam as a minister of state and Nicolas Fattoush.
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