Miqati Holds ‘Ice-Breaking’ Talks with Aoun, Says Parliament Should Stay Symbol for all Lebanese
Premier-designate Najib Miqati unveiled on Wednesday that he agreed with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on the need to take the necessary steps to facilitate the cabinet formation process.
Miqati told reporters in parliament that he held with Aoun closed-door talks during which they “reached an understanding on the next steps to facilitate the task of the prime minister-designate as part his constitutional authorities.”
Aoun has been accusing Miqati of procrastination in the formation of the government. He is also insisting on not handing Miqati the list of his candidates for the different portfolios that are part of his share until Miqati confirms to him that an agreement reached previously between the two sides is now active.
“The meeting with Gen. Aoun was an ice-breaker,” Miqati said.
A meeting was also held in parliament between Miqati, Speaker Nabih Berri, MPs Aoun, Mohammed Raad, Suleiman Franjieh, Talal Arslan and Assaad Hardan.
Miqati told reporters that he visited Berri out of his keenness to see the parliament as a “symbol for all Lebanese.”
“Parliament is the home of all Lebanese and their permanent shelter,” he said, stressing that the legislature does not belong to one sect.
Miqati said he “expressed hope to the speaker that parliament would remain an entity that embraces everyone.”
Berri wants “to consolidate national unity in these circumstances that require from all of us a high level of responsibility,” the premier-designate added.
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