European Diplomat Says No Deal Appointed Miqati: Hizbullah Doesn’t Want to Control Govt. But Influence it

A high-ranking European diplomatic denied that a French-Qatari deal was behind the appointment of Najib Miqati as prime minister-designate, saying that France, like other western countries, is monitoring the “worrisome situation” in Lebanon.

He told the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published on Saturday that Miqati is faced with a number of tests regarding the formation of a new Lebanese government, as well as challenges in how he deals with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

The diplomat labeled as “unconvincing” Miqati’s statements that the dispute over the STL should be referred to the national dialogue table.

Furthermore, he revealed that prime minister-designate’s brother Taha had informed a number of western diplomats in Beirut that Miqati had sought through his nomination to save the country from a confrontation that would have ensued had former PM Omar Karami been appointed as the new premier.

The diplomat said that Miqati received encouragement in this matter, including Syria’s, but he ruled out the possibility that Saudi Arabia had advocated this move.

“Miqati’s appointment appeared to be a normal constitutional procedure that cannot be criticized because it is possible in any democratic country for the parliamentary majority to be changed,” he continued.

“In the Lebanese case however, what worried us was the pressures exerted on National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblat through Hizbullah’s deployment on the street a few days ahead of the parliamentary consultations,” he stated.

“Even though the deployment was limited, the message was clear to Jumblat who later headed to Damascus, leaving no doubt that the shift in the majority was not caused in a calm atmosphere,” the diplomat added.

“This matter can be overcome though because France cannot withdraw its support for the STL, while it also realizes the importance of stability in Lebanon,” he continued.

“We are now wondering what Miqati can do seeing as he has not presented any commitments, but I find it hard to accept this rosy picture that he is presenting as there is an opposition and Hizbullah, whose primary concern is the STL,” he stressed.

Furthermore, France informed Miqati of “red lines” connected with Lebanon’s agreement with the United Nations over the tribunal, he added.

The diplomat said: “We know that Lebanon won’t pay its share of the STL budget, and we’ll see how that will be dealt with. Regarding the withdrawal of Lebanese judges, this is a sensitive issue from a legal perspective, because they are no longer Lebanese judges, but part of the tribunal and its team and they don’t have to comply with the Lebanese government’s demands.”

Cooperation between Lebanon and the STL is the main issue at hand, noted the diplomat, but Miqati’s statements that the judges will not be tampered with are important.

He stressed that the formation of the government is important for the international community, and it would be wise to choose politicians or technocrats, but not individuals who are very partial to other countries.

“We have more questions than answers at this point … It is hard to imagine that an agreement over the STL will be reached at the national dialogue table … and will Lebanon’s ties with the STL be severed in a manner that will satisfy the international community, while all along Hizbullah is eager for results as the indictment will likely be issued in two months?” he asked.

He reiterated U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s statements that the new government should be judged by its actions, revealing that Miqati’s brother Taha had said that should Miqati’s ministerial statement be rejected, then he will resign.

A government headed by Hizbullah may pose a problem, but the diplomat believed that the party does not want to completely control the government, but simply influence it.