LF wants govt plan to reflect president's inaugural speech

Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan called Wednesday for dropping "national consensus governments", after his bloc held with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam non-binding consultations for forming a new government.

"We don’t want a return to the army-people-resistance equation," Adwan said. "And we want the state to extend its authority over all Lebanese soil," he added.

Adwan demanded that the government's plan reflect President Joseph Aoun's inaugural speech. In his speech, Aoun vowed that the state would have "a monopoly" on arms, and pledged to carry out reforms, fight corruption, and to rebuild war-hit Lebanon. Salam's first speech followed suit.

The parliamentary consultations will be held in parliament on Wednesday and Thursday amid a boycott by the parliamentary blocs of Hezbollah and Amal. The Duo objected against Salam's appointment, accusing unnamed parties of reneging on an agreement that promised the re-appointment of former PM Najib Mikati. The boycott does not necessarily mean that the two parties will not take part in the new government.

Adwan said that Hezbollah and Amal have the largest Shiite representation, hoping that they will take part in the new government. Salam on Tuesday said he will not marginalize any side in Lebanon, an apparent reference to Hezbollah and Amal.