PSP Calls for Ending Cabinet ‘Joke,’ Laments Lost Opportunity

The circles of Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat have stressed that the Druze leader has repeatedly called for an end to the government “joke.”

In remarks to As Safir daily on Tuesday, the circles said: “It seems that no one has heard” Jumblat’s cry.

“A big opportunity was lost when the dispute over the interior ministry portfolio was resolved. Issues were being solved with the consent of all sides but suddenly some parties began imposing conditions that brought everything back to square one,” they said.

The circles were referring to the agreement reached between President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on naming retired Internal Security Forces Maj. Gen. Marwan Charbel to the controversial interior ministry post. But the cabinet crisis remained in a standstill after Aoun reportedly asked for more portfolios and Suleiman wanted to get a second Maronite minister.

“A cabinet should be formed and Lebanon shouldn’t stay without a political administration,” Jumblat’s circles said.

“It is time (to form) a government that protects the country and its political, economic and financial security,” they added.

On Monday, Jumblat told Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV station that the cabinet should be formed under the slogan of dialogue, the consolidation of the south and Lebanon, and the protection of the resistance.