Jumblat favors Mikati's line-up, says caretaker govt. can fill possible vacuum

Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat considered that the caretaker government can fill the gap in case of a presidential vacuum, although he called for forming a new government and holding timely presidential elections.

Jumblat said, in an interview published Wednesday in al-Joumhouriah, that he supports the line-up submitted by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati and that it can be amended and adopted. "There are disasters in the current government," he added, as he welcomed the changes suggested by Mikati.

Concerning the next President, Jumblat said that it is impossible for a "confrontational" candidate to become President and that "political realism and national interest require the election of a consensual president who can communicate with all parties."