Formation of Lebanese unity government stalled

Saeed Dhaher
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-08-25

Lebanese Prime Minister-elect Saad Al-Hariri (L) shakes hands with the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement and former Prime Minister Michel Aoun, at Aoun's residence in Rabiyeh near Beirut on June 28. (Reuters)

BEIRUT — Almost two months after President Michel Suleiman appointed Saad Al-Hariri Prime Minister, a new government has yet to be formed. After Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt withdrew from the March 14 alliance, it is now Change and Reform bloc leader General Michel Aoun who is stalling the process by demanding the Communications portfolio for his son-in-law, who lost his seat in the June 7 parliamentary election. Aoun also wants the Interior Ministry seat for himself, even though it is one of the ‘sovereign ministries’ allocated to the president.

Aoun insists that his son-in-law Gebran Bassil is suitable for the post, claiming that in earlier efforts he “eliminated mafia elements, customs violations and black market pricing. He also eliminated no-cost phone lines that even embassies were able to exploit, and introduced many consumer benefits.”

Aoun also said his response to Al-Hariri’s call for a working breakfast to discuss the allocation of ministries hinges on the reaction of those he has labelled as “madmen” in Al-Hariri’s bloc. He has insisted that Al-Hariri be referred to as ‘representative-elect,’ and not ‘prime minister-elect,’ which he contends is an unconstitutional designation.

Observers interpreted Aoun’s tactic as the possible onset of a government crisis, leading to the breakdown of agreements already reached on the allocation of ministries.

Al-Hariri’s press office confirmed that “while it is every political leader’s right to present a list of demands, the formation of the government is the responsibility of the prime minister-elect, in collaboration with the president, under the rules of the constitution.”

Pro-Syrian and pro-Iranian opposition forces are trying to force a choice between an early government deal and Al-Hariri’s relinquishment of the task to promote the return of former Prime Minister Najuib Mikati. The Lebanese constitution does not stipulate any deadline for the formation of a government.

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