Gemayel Calls for Formation of Cabinet Capable of Overseeing Constitutional Deadlines
Phalange Party leader MP Amin Gemayel called on Monday for the formation of a cabinet capable of confronting all the constitutional deadlines in the country and overseeing the upcoming presidential elections.
“Three upcoming deadlines will decide the fate of Lebanon,” Gemayel said after talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi at Bkirki.
“It is essential for us to find common grounds and offer compromises as the country demands us to take courageous and responsible stances.”
Suleiman's tenure ends in May 2014.
The cabinet formation process was put on the front burner after Speaker Nabih Berri proposed a revised 8-8-8 government formula and President Michel Suleiman said he would form a so-called neutral cabinet if the political rivals don't agree on an all-embracing government within ten days.
Amid the Lebanese Forces' rejection of Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet, the March 14 camp has reportedly accepted the 8-8-8 formula in principle, but it is awaiting answers pertaining to the ministerial policy statement and the rotation of portfolios among political parties.
The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists and March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.
Gemayel pointed out that talks with al-Rahi focused on coordinating the best ways to end the current situation in the country.
“All sides are being flexible regarding the cabinet formation process,” he said.
Asked about the start of the STL sessions last week in a suburb outside The Hague nine years after the huge Beirut blast that killed ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Gemayel expressed hope that the assassination of his son Pierre would be included in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Pierre was assassinated in 2006 in broad daylight while passing through the Beirut neighborhood of Jdeideh.
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