Miqati Resumes Talks with March 14 on Cabinet Formation
A meeting between Premier-designate Najib Miqati and Caretaker Labor Minister Butros Harb on Thursday signaled the resumption of contacts between the billionaire businessman and the March 14 forces.
Miqati’s circles told An Nahar daily in remarks published Friday that the meeting was “positive” and the cabinet formation process was making progress.
Harb said his meeting with Miqati constituted “a resumption of talks to discuss the possibility of reaching a common ground for the March 14 forces to participate” in the government based on the principles that the alliance is committed to.
The principles stress that the government should not thwart the operations of the international tribunal and that the March 14’s participation would be balanced and efficient, Harb told An Nahar. He added that the coalition stresses its efficient participation in any decision that is in Lebanon’s interest.
He hinted that the door was still open for March 14 to participate in the cabinet, saying both Miqati and President Michel Suleiman want a government that includes all sides.
“We are open to dialogue,” he said, stressing however that “March 14 would not compromise on its principles and the blood of its martyrs.”
Harb unveiled that consultations are ongoing among the March 14 forces and he would contact Miqati to announce the alliance’s stance. “According to what I heard from President Michel Suleiman and Premier-designate Najib Miqati, there is no rush” in forming the cabinet.
Caretaker Minister Jean Oghassabian told Voice of Lebanon, voice of freedom and dignity radio station, on Friday that the decision is already taken to form a one-sided cabinet. The Miqati-Harb meeting was only formal, he said.
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