Govt. deadlock continues as Mikati, Bassil exchange blame
Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati will not replace Energy Minister Walid Fayyad in a new cabinet line-up reshuffle, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper said.
A political source told the daily, in remarks published Monday, that Mikati would only replace the economy minister and the minister of the displaced, and would study President Michel Aoun's suggestion to add six "acceptable" state ministers to the line-up.
Aoun, for his part, accepted the two ministers reshuffle only if he can name the two new ministers, the daily said. Mikati refused the suggestion.
Mikati and FPM chief Jebran Bassil had been exchanging blame for the obstruction of the government formation.
On Sunday, Mikati had said that the government will only be formed in accordance with the constitutional principles between the PM and the President only, in response to two statements issued by Bassil, both on Sunday, in which he accused the PM of obstructing the government formation and of dishonesty and corruption.
Mikati replied in two separate statements, holding Bassil accountable for the obstruction of the government formation in the first, and saying he will no longer reply to Bassil's accusations in the second.
22 August 2022, 19:35
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Government top 10 reshuffle if truly for Lebanon's interests:
1. Carlos Ghosn (Industry/Renewable Energy)
2. Nadim Koteich (Foreign)
3. Salem Machnouk (Interior)
4. Mohamad Jawad Khalifeh (Health)
5. Maxime Chaya (Sport)
6. Najat Saliba (Environment)
7. Nawaf Salam (Justice)
8. Neemat Frem (Economy)
9. Ziad Hawat (Defense)
10. Gebran Bassil (IN PRISON)
22 August 2022, 19:36
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Government Top Priorities if truly working for Lebanon's interests:
1. Neutrality (UN charter)
2. No arms outside army. 120 days to disarm all militias including HizbIran.
3. Demarcation of all land and maritime borders starting with Shebaa
4. Insuring no future oil/gas revenues go to rockets/tools of oppression as in Iran
5. Political reform and decentralization. Full transparency & accountability.
6. Digitize/on-line all government processes and permits.
22 August 2022, 19:46
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In fact, this is a scenario for next president but things have to happen fast:
1. LUCID has technical advantages over Tesla and potentially can become one of the most valuable car companies in the world.
2. While current CEO (Peter Rawlinson) is an amazing engineer with experience from Tesla model S, and Greek-Australian Andrew Liveris (Chairman) has unique experience from DOW & Others, they have managed to create a wonderful car but failed at production and putting company future at risk.
3. Considering Saudi is largest shareholder, they should replace key post with Carlos Ghosn as production is key and Ghosn connections are irreplaceable combined with Saudi solving supply issues.
4. Saudi can clear Ghosn records with Japan & France (pay judgement) and Ghosn free to save Lucid.
5. Ghosn after ending all legal issues can be Lebanon's next president to solve deadlock!
