Report: Jumblat Seeking Formation of Unity Cabinet as Opposition begins Consultations

The March 14 alliance kicked off preliminary consultations to take a decisive stance from the upcoming challenges confronting it as Centrist Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat insists on the formation of a unity government, media reports said on Tuesday.

Sources close to the opposition told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that a wide meeting will be held between the March 14 coalition leaders after Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel returns to Lebanon from a visit to the United States.

According to the sources, the alliance is keen to deal “positively” with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati after he resigned.

The opposition had boycotted in October all political activity with the cabinet of Miqati after it blamed his government for the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch chief Wissam al-Hasan, demanding its resignation.

Last week, Miqati announced the resignation of his government after a fallout among ministers and called for national dialogue aimed at forming a new cabinet to rescue Lebanon.

Ministerial sources ruled out in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat that Jumblat would agree on the formation of a cabinet that doesn't include Hizbullah.

Jumblat “is seeking the formation of a government that unites Lebanon or a cabinet that reflects the Baabda Palace Declaration in its ministerial statement,” the sources pointed out.

In the Baabda Declaration, rival March 8 and 14 alliance leaders have affirmed their commitment to the Taef Accord and agreed to distance Lebanon from the policy of regional and international conflicts.

Concerning the resumption of the national dialogue between the political foes, sources told al-Hayat newspaper that the March 14 alliance is mulling its final decision over the matter until Suleiman officially invited the parties for the all-party talks.

The last dialogue session was held last year.

The sources said that dialogue will ease tension between the rival parties but will not resolve the dispute over the formation of the cabinet that should highlight in its ministerial statement the Baabda Declaration.

They noted that consultations should focus on the formation of a neutral cabinet or a national salvation cabinet.