Report: Miqati Seeking Grace Period from International Community

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati is reportedly seeking a grace period from the international community before issuing political verdicts on his cabinet.

Sources following up the consultations that Miqati is carrying out with March 14 officials told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in remarks published Wednesday that the international community doesn’t object to giving Miqati “a grace period that would be a test on the extent of his willingness to avoid a clash” with the west.

The grace period could be extended after the completion of the policy statement, the sources said.

Consequently, the international community is monitoring Miqati’s moves and would issue its final verdict on the cabinet after it studies what the policy statement would say about the international tribunal, the sources told al-Hayat.

Miqati has reportedly told both the March 8 and 14 forces that he won’t make any commitment on the court which is still a bickering issue among the Lebanese.

He is keen on launching dialogue to agree on common grounds over controversial issues, including the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the sources said.