Aoun sets June 23 date for consultations to name new PM

President Michel Aoun on Wednesday scheduled the binding parliamentary consultations for picking a new PM for Thursday, June 23, the Presidency said.

In a meeting with a delegation from the Order of Physicians earlier in the day, Aoun had said that "all parties must work together to correct the mistakes that plunged the country into the current situation."

Political opponents and observers have criticized Aoun for “delaying” the call for the consultations in the wake of the May 15 parliamentary polls, accusing him of supporting an alleged bid by Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil to block the re-nomination of Najib Mikati for the PM post.

Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday that a number of MPs were “surprised” when they were told by presidential palace officials that Aoun was delaying the call for consultations because “the Shiite duo and its allies are inclined to name a PM-designate who lacks conformity to the National Pact,” in reference to Mikati.

Citing Aoun’s opinion, the officials argued that “parliament’s Christian blocs, regardless of their affiliation, do not intend to nominate him.”

Several MPs meanwhile quoted a prominent parliamentary source as saying that “Aoun does not want to cooperate with Mikati.”