Miqati: Constitution Doesn’t Allow Any Group to Get Decisive or Blocking Cabinet Share

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati has noted that “the political, economic and social challenges facing our country, in addition to the dangerous developments in the region, require the formation of a balanced cabinet in which no group would have the upper hand over the other participating parties.”

“From the time I was designated to form the cabinet, we had decided, the president and I, to abide by the provisions of the Constitution, which defines the duties of each branch of government,” Miqati told his visitors Wednesday.

President Michel Suleiman “had made an oath to preserve the Constitution which stipulates that he would only be liable in cases of violating the Constitution and treason,” he added.

The PM-designate stressed that “the Constitution does not allow any sect, party, group or political figure to obtain a decisive or a blocking share in cabinet.”

He said that all political parties should cooperate in order to “preserve the needed diversity and boost productivity.”

“The president is acting on the basis that he is the president of whole Lebanon and the premier must be the premier of whole Lebanon. That’s why we are conducting the necessary contacts and taking our time before announcing the cabinet formation so that it satisfies the Lebanese and be in line with the Constitution’s provisions,” Miqati noted.

Meanwhile, political sources said they expected the government to be formed next week although Caretaker Minister Jebran Bassil was more pessimistic, saying "no agreement has yet been reached on any detail."

Sources close to Miqati told An Nahar and As Safir newspapers in remarks published Wednesday that things were heading in the right direction and that the cabinet could be announced soon, most possibly early next week.

Political sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that Miqati would meet with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun soon but is awaiting final agreement on the cabinet before holding talks with the Change and Reform bloc leader who has been holding onto demands to get the interior ministry portfolio which was part of Suleiman's share in the caretaker cabinet.

Meanwhile, a March 8 source said that a flurry of political activity has been launched involving Miqati and leaders of the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance as well as Lebanese and Syrian officials and aimed at accelerating the formation of the government.

"All matters have been put on the table. Intensive meetings will be held tonight and tomorrow involving Lebanese and Syrian officials with the aim of clearing the way for the government's formation," the source told The Daily Star in remarks published Wednesday.

However, sources told al-Hayat that Syria is not interfering in the cabinet formation process and backs local efforts to overcome Aoun's demands.