Cabinet Deadlock Expands over Demands for Faisal Karami’s Representation
Premier-designate Najib Miqati is expected to visit President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday and propose to him a de facto cabinet lineup, former Prime Minister Omar Karami’s sources told As Safir daily.
They said the draft lineup does not include the name of Faisal Omar Karami. According to the sources, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun is not aware of it and Hizbullah has already informed Miqati that it rejects a cabinet that doesn’t include Karami.
Asked what stance Omar Karami would take if the prime minister-designate goes ahead with his de facto cabinet, the sources said the former premier “would remain in his opposition and as usual he would monitor” Miqati’s moves.
However, As Safir said that Miqati froze his decision to propose a 30-member cabinet lineup to Suleiman on Tuesday over an advice by Speaker Nabih Berri. An Nahar daily said, however, that the premier-designate held talks with Suleiman on Monday away from the media spotlight.
The report comes amid signs that the government formation efforts have gone back to the initial stages, casting doubts about an early formation.
An Nahar said that Aoun continues to hold onto his demand for the interior ministry portfolio and has refused to name his proposed candidates for the cabinet seats before Miqati accepts Aoun’s tough demands for the lion’s share of Christian participation.
However, a breakthrough was made Tuesday when Miqati held talks with the advisors of the speaker and the Hizbullah leader, Ali Hassan Khalil and Hussein Khalil, in addition to Caretaker Ministers Jebran Bassil and Ghazi Aridi.
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