Miqati Prefers Extension on Vacuum, Says Lebanon's Interest Lies in Having Good Ties with Riyadh
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati has said he would prefer the extension of President Michel Suleiman's mandate if given the choice between it and vacuum in the country's top post.
“If the elections were not held, then I would support the extension of President Michel Suleiman's tenure which is a better option than having vacuum,” Miqati told As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Tuesday.
But the caretaker PM was optimistic that the presidential elections would be held when Suleiman's mandate expires in May next year.
“It would not be impossible to elect a new president and find the appropriate person for this post,” he said.
Asked about his relations with Saudi Arabia, Miqati said he didn't have personal ties with it.
While claiming he did not have a problem with Saudi officials and that he was keen on the best of ties with them, Miqati said he could not force them to have better relations with him at the personal level.
“Saudi Arabia has always stood by Lebanon which does not have any interest to have a negative stance from it,” he said.
Miqati also criticized the accusations made by some local parties against Riyadh. “It is neither responsible for bombings, nor it is arming fighters in the North.”
As Safir also asked him about his ties with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Miqati denied that he has sent Assad a message, stressing he “has no ties” with him.
On the formation of the new cabinet and the conditions set by the rival parties, Miqati said: “Is Hizbullah going to respond if we tell it to withdraw from Syria?”
“Political pragmatism requires the formation of the government first,” he said.
The March 14 alliance and mainly al-Mustaqbal movement has conditioned the formation of an all-embracing cabinet on the withdrawal of Hizbullah members, who are fighting alongside Assad's troops, from Syria.
Miqati echoed remarks made by Speaker Nabih Berri that the 9-9-6 formula is in the interest of March 14.
The proposal lies in giving nine ministers to March 14, another nine to March 8 and six ministers to the centrists.
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