 |
01/02/2011 | AlmanarTV
Efforts to form the new Lebanese government can be represented in these days by the undergoing consultations between the Prime Minister designate Najib Miqati and the two main Christian parties in the March 14 forces, the Phalange and the Lebanese Forces, in order to mull their participation in the coming cabinet.
Efforts to form the new Lebanese government can be represented in these days by the undergoing consultations between the Prime Minister designate Najib Miqati and the two main Christian parties in the March 14 forces, the Phalange and the Lebanese Forces, in order to mull their participation in the coming cabinet.
High-ranking Phalange party officials told An Nahar daily in remarks published Tuesday that dialogue between the two sides was "serious" and that contacts started between Miqati and Phalange leader Amin Gemayel through telephone conversations and several meetings.
"We can't define the stance of the party from participation in the government as black or white," Phalange Caretaker Cabinet Minister Salim al-Sayegh said. "Our allies should be reassured by our performance."
"We can say that there are serious thoughts to participate" in the cabinet, he said. Miqati "should meet us midway through in terms of our commitments to the international tribunal, the solution to arms and the file of Lebanese detained in Syrian jails," the caretaker minister added.
For its part, As Safir newspaper said that Gemayel promised Miqati following their meeting at the residence of the premier-designate in Verdun on Monday to provide him with an answer soon.
The newspaper also quoted well-informed Phalange sources as saying that the price the party would pay by participating in the cabinet is much less than it could pay for staying out of the government.
In the same context, Lebanese forces leader, Samir Geagea, reportedly held two-hour talks with Miqati at his residence in Verdun on Monday night.
An Nahar daily reported that Geagea also stayed for dinner. The LF leader reportedly told the prime minister-designate that he was mandated by the March 14 forces to negotiate with him.
As-Safir also quoted Miqati sources as saying that the premier designate considered the formation of a unity government as a priority.
These sources added that Miqati would not bind himself by a time limit, because the “goal is to secure wide political and national representation,” As-Safir said.
BIDS TO DELAY GOV’T FORMATION
However, many commentators consider these consultations as bids to hinder or at least delay the formation of the new cabinet.
On Monday, Lebanese newspapers wondered if the government would see the light before mid February, considering that the anniversary of the former Premier Rafiq Hariri's Feb. 14 murder as the major event that could prevent Miqati from forming the cabinet as soon as possible.
Caretaker Pm Saad Hariri, along with his Future party, is seeking to invest the sixth anniversary of Hariri’s assassination in order to make a show of force.
MIQATI DOESN’T FOLLOW ANYONE’S AGENDA
In an interview with Bloomberg at his Beirut office, Miqati stressed that he doesn't "follow anyone's agenda."
"I have a friendship with Hezbollah and I also have contacts outside of Lebanon, but it doesn't mean I follow anyone's agenda."
"My own agenda is going to be followed and that agenda is to maintain very good relations with the international community and Lebanon has to fulfill its commitments," Miqati said.
"I am keen to maintain very good relations and develop the relationship with the United States," he added.
"If they have any worries, or a preconceived or distorted image, this will be clear soon after forming this government and let them judge based on our performance and actions."
EU “READY” TO PROVIDE FURTHER FINDING TO STL
On the other hand, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the 2005 assassination of Hariri, and expressed “readiness” to provide the STL further funding.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon "must continue its work without impediment and with the cooperation of the Lebanese government," Europe's foreign ministers said in a statement following one-day talks in Brussels on Monday.
"Funding must be preserved. In this regard, the council notes that the EU and individual member states stand ready to provide further funding. At the same time the EU encourages others to contribute," the statement added.
The statement took note of the designation of Miqati as prime minister and called "upon the Lebanese authorities to seek the broadest possible consensus and to preserve unity.”
The STL on January 17 announced that tribunal Prosecutor-General Daniel Bellemare has submitted the draft indictment for the assassination of Hariri to STL Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen.
The indictment is widely expected to accuse Hezbollah in Hariri’s assassination.
Hezbollah Firmly denies any accusation, stressing that the STL aims at targeting the resistance, the unreachable goal of 2006 July war.
The Party’s Secretary General, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, previously said that the party will cut off the hand that would detain any of the Mujahedeen, in a firm stance that the party refused the accusation.
