Technocratic Govt. Headed by Miqati May End Lebanon’s Crisis

A technocratic government may be the solution to Lebanon’s current crisis over the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Sunday.

Parliamentary majority sources told the daily that a technocratic government, headed by Prime Minister Najib Miqati, could be formed and it would be able to approve the funding of the tribunal, as well as renew the cooperation protocol between the STL and Lebanon.

Such a government would allow the premier to achieve major gains and it would demonstrate that the political complications in Lebanon leave no room for a contentious government like the one that is currently in power, they explained.

“Should a technocratic government be formed, Miqati would be able to demonstrate to Arab powers, that have voiced reservations over the current one, that he is capable of forming a new cabinet which is not affiliated with Syria, Iran, or Hizbullah,” they continued.

In addition, the new government would also improve Miqati’s image before the Sunni public in Lebanon amid the heavy criticism he has faced and is still facing from the Mustaqbal movement, they noted.

The sources stressed that Miqati proposed placing the funding of the STL on cabinet’s agenda in an effort to save whatever credibility he still has left.

The prime minister had stated before the United Nations Security Council that Lebanon would commit to the funding of the tribunal despite Hizbullah and other government factions’ opposition to this matter.

Lebanon is obligated to fund 49 percent of the tribunal budget.

The issue has deepened the political divide between the March 8 and 14 camps with the former objecting to it and the latter insisting on the funding and warning that failure to meet international obligations would lead Lebanon to a confrontation with the international community.