Report: Cabinet Formation Suffers Major Setbacks

Premier-designate Najib Miqati was reportedly readying a cabinet lineup had Hizbullah agreed to name its ministers but the Shiite group stressed that a solution to the bickering between President Michel Suleiman and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun should be found before making that step.

As Safir daily said Wednesday that Hizbullah’s stance was seen as a covert support for Aoun who is demanding the interior ministry portfolio as part of his share in the new government. But Suleiman is adamant on keeping the ministry which is headed by Ziad Baroud in the caretaker cabinet.

From among suggestions made to solve the deadlock, was giving the interior ministry portfolio to Miqati or Minister Mohammed Safadi in return for making either the foreign or finance ministries as part of Aoun’s share.

However, Miqati rejected the plan on the grounds that he would be targeted by a fierce campaign by al-Mustaqbal movement if he gives up the finance portfolio which is part of the Sunni sect’s shares.

But FPM leadership sources accused Miqati and Suleiman of deliberately delaying the formation of the new government. They told As Safir that the interior ministry portfolio was not the only obstacle. Mystery is shrouding the remaining nine portfolios that should be part of the Change and Reform bloc’s share, the sources added.

They said lately there was a setback when Miqati rejected to grant the bloc both the telecommunications and energy portfolios. Among the other obstacles, was the premier-designate’s rejection to give Faisal Karami a cabinet seat.

Miqati’s circles said solving the interior ministry deadlock would help the cabinet formation reach “three-quarters of the distance,” adding that suggestions on the distribution of other seats were awaiting the end of the interior minister impasse.