Miqati: Hizbullah, Allies Majority in New Govt Doesn’t Mean Lebanon Will Confront Int’l Community
After announcing his long-awaited cabinet formation, Prime Minister Najib Miqati insisted on Monday that the new government line-up, in which Hizbullah and its allies have a majority, will not place the country in the “radical camp.”
"The fact that Hizbullah and its allies have 18 seats in the 30-member cabinet does not mean that the country will join the radical camp in terms of its relations with the international community," Miqati told Agence France Presse.
He pointed out that it was significant that more than one-third -- 12 -- of the cabinet ministers were appointed by himself, President Michel Suleiman and Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat, thus ensuring Hizbullah and its allies could not control the government.
Earlier Monday, Miqati told Al-Jadeed television that his first visit as Lebanon’s premier will be to “the beloved South,” where he will inspect the Lebanese army units deployed there and UNIFIL peacekeepers.
Asked about the phone call President Michel Suleiman received from his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad after the cabinet line-up was announced, Miqati said: “When President Assad congratulates President Suleiman, that means that he has congratulated the new cabinet, and this is something essential.”
Commenting on Lebanese Democratic Party MP Talal Arslan’s swift resignation from the new cabinet and accusations against the premier, Miqati said he was “surprised by the remarks of Prince Talal, the heir of a major political dynasty.”
Arslan lashed out earlier in the day at Miqati, accusing him of practicing “deception” and conspiring against national unity.
“In line with my convictions, I announce before the Lebanese people my resignation from the government of the so-called Najib Miqati whom I am not honored to be seated next to,” said Arslan.
Miqati said the new government’s “main challenge” lies in being a “harmonious team.”
Commenting on Speaker Nabih Berri’s relinquishing of a Shiite portfolio for Faisal Karami -- thus creating a precedent of a having a cabinet comprised of seven Sunni ministers and five Shiite ones – Miqati said Berri had explained his “sacrifice” to him.
“I’m committed to equal power-sharing between sects, but Speaker Berri insisted on giving up the portfolio,” the PM said.
Asked about the fact that his cabinet does not include any women, Miqati said he had repeatedly asked the parliamentary blocs to name women candidates. “I believe this is a flaw, but I hope it will be the only flaw in the cabinet, God willing,” he added.
In a speech at the Baabda Palace after the cabinet formation was announced earlier in the day, Miqati stressed that he will remain committed to “the constitution, the liberation of Lebanon’s occupied territory, and dialogue as a means to end dispute among the Lebanese.”
“We have overcome the differences in the government formation and we should immediately head to work.”
“We hope the Cabinet will earn your confidence and the confidence of your representatives in parliament,” he said, addressing the Lebanese people.
Miqati announced his government line-up following nearly five months of arduous negotiations over key portfolios including the Interior, Justice and Telecommunications Ministries.
“There can be no substitute to coexistence to confront the major dangers facing Lebanon,” Miqati added.
“This government belongs to the whole of Lebanon. Don’t judge intentions and the people, but their performance,” he added.
The prime minister also credited Speaker Berri for his efforts in the formation process, saying the new cabinet would not have been formed without him.
“I took the last minute decision because the matters in the country had reached an unbearable point,” Miqati noted.
Miqati's cabinet must now gain the approval of at least half of Lebanon's 128-strong parliament, where the Hizbullah-led alliance holds a slight majority.
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