Agreement among Political Powers over 'Calm' Government Change

Calls for the change of Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government coupled with attempts to avoid a vacuum brought on by a change of leadership have led to a conviction by the different political parties that the process should be slow, political and diplomatic sources said Friday.

Contacts between President Michel Suleiman and leaders of both the March 8 and March 14 coalitions in addition to western officials have been lately focusing on the “change of the government in a calm way so as not to affect Miqati's future,” the sources told al-Joumhouria daily.

They hinted that Miqati could be tasked again to form the new government after agreement between the majority alliance and the opposition on its structure and future role.

According to the sources, the international community has ruled out the formation of a technocrat or so-called neutral cabinet and instead has called for a government that includes all political powers that would join hands in governing the country and protecting its stability.

During a visit to Lebanon, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Elizabeth Jones expressed support for Suleiman’s and other responsible leaders’ efforts to consult on transitioning to a new government.

She reiterated that the Lebanese people deserve a government that reflects their aspirations and will strengthen Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty and independence.

Her remarks come amid similar statements made by top political leaders.

Suleiman has said that the door is still open for the formation of a national unity government and Miqati has called for more government productivity pending the end of the president's consultations with political figures to resolve the political crisis.

The March 14 opposition has been accusing Miqati's cabinet of failing to provide stability and blaming it for covering up the Oct. 19 assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan.