Jumblat Meets Miqati, Denies Govt. 'One-sided, Imposed by Outside Forces'

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Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Wednesday described the new government as a “broad national coalition,” stressing that “it was not imposed by outside forces as some have claimed” and that it is not “one-sided.”

Following talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati in Beirut’s Verdun district, Jumblat added: “The atmospheres are excellent despite the delay in forming the cabinet … Each of us has made sacrifices, each in his own way.”

Jumblat also thanked Miqati for “his patience and efforts” and lauded Speaker Nabih Berri’s “central and essential role.”

Asked whether he rejected to describe the new cabinet as “Syria’s government,” the Druze leader said: “The government is diverse and contains all democratic opinions, and others must accept power rotation.”

“As to what happened with (Lebanese Democratic Party leader) Prince Talal Arslan, I say maybe it was a misunderstanding,” Jumblat added, describing Arslan’s verbal attack against Miqati as “inappropriate.”

Shortly after the long-awaited line-up of Miqati’s cabinet was announced on Monday, Arslan resigned from his post as state minister, lashing out at the premier and describing him as a “liar.”

“In line with my convictions, I announce before the Lebanese people my resignation from the government of the so-called Najib Miqati whom I am not honored to be seated next to,” said Arslan, who was hoping to get a key portfolio in the new cabinet.

For his part, Miqati said he was “surprised by the remarks of Prince Talal, the heir of a major political dynasty.”

Comments 9
Default-user-icon jumb jumb (Guest) 15 June 2011, 20:52

Jumblat Meets Miqati, Denies Govt. 'One-sided, Imposed by Outside Forces' then they both stand up and sing the Syrian national anthem.

Default-user-icon Ibn Aljabal (Guest) 15 June 2011, 21:13

Walid MUST protect Bashar - a DICKtator protecting a bigger DICKtator

Default-user-icon Ali (Guest) 15 June 2011, 21:30

What a hypocrite Jumblat is...!!!! He talks about rotation of power? This man is destructive. He now accepts the exclusion of the representatives of the Sunnis and other major sects while during the Saniora and Harriri days he always maintained " We cannot isolate the shiite sect" and insisted on giving them veto power in any government. He and his friend Aoun insult our intelligence. Didn't Aoun always maintain his rejection of those candidates who did not win the elections to be nominated as Ministers??? Now he has 5 ministers who failed parliamentary elections as ministers
in the new cabinet!!!!

Thumb joesikemrex 16 June 2011, 00:27

A perfect government for the Syrian people

Default-user-icon Simon Hokayem (Guest) 16 June 2011, 05:57

and why he visited Syria few days before?

Missing undefined 16 June 2011, 07:47

Prince?? NO ONE in lebanon has the right to be called prince! We don't need princes and heirs and political dynasties, we need fresh politicians, held accountable by the people for their actions!

Default-user-icon Gebran Sons for Cedar Revolution II in 2013 (Guest) 16 June 2011, 08:27

Aoun is missing from the picture for a group photo of the 3 #$&% !

Default-user-icon Le Phenicien (Guest) 16 June 2011, 08:43

@ UNDEFINED ,

I dont know If you are Lebanese , but in case you are not , let me give you a lesson about the Titles in Lebanon that are connected with the big families .

The Maronites and the Druze families , have the title of Prince " EMIR " like Chehab , Abi al lameh , Arslane . Some Maronite families have also the title of Sheikh , like El Khazen , Hobeish , etc ..

These titles are mentioned on their ID cards and on their Passports . So live with it .

Missing undefined 16 June 2011, 19:10

@ le phenicien: fine, but it doesn't translate well into english. Call him Sheikh, call him Za3im, but not prince