Miqati and Berri Reject Launching Initiative to Resolve Crisis

Premier Najib Miqati has rejected to launch an initiative to resolve the cabinet crisis as Speaker Nabih Berri has also refused so far to mediate between him and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

Miqati’s sources told al-Akhbar daily published Wednesday that the PM “can no longer tolerate” the way ministers loyal to Aoun are dealing with him.

“He wants to reorganize the relationship between him and the different components of the government,” the sources said but stressed that “he won’t make the initiative to contact any team to resolve the cabinet crisis.”

“He is waiting for others to make that initiative,” they told the newspaper.

Their remarks came as Berri told As Safir that he has informed Miqati about his rejection to mediate to bring back the two sides together and resume cabinet sessions.

President Michel Suleiman suspended the sessions last Wednesday at the request of Miqati after the premier bickered with minsters loyal to Aoun on the candidates for posts in the Higher Disciplinary Council that is linked to the premier’s office.

Berri “reiterated that he is not yet convinced with interfering” to resolve the crisis.

The speaker told Miqati during their latest meeting that he should have put the name of the candidates that he had proposed for voting, An Nahar said. The newspaper quoted Berri as telling the premier that it was the right of ministers loyal to Aoun to suggest a cabinet vote.

“Things wouldn’t have reached this conclusion,” Berri reportedly said.

President Suleiman discussed the cabinet crisis with Miqati on Tuesday. But a government source told al-Liwaa newspaper that their meeting hasn’t yielded any results.

Miqati’s visit to Baabda palace was more aimed at consulting with Suleiman ahead of the PM’s visit to Paris on Thursday night, the source said.