Gemayel Calls for Swift Formation of Cabinet, Holding Presidential Elections on Time
Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel called on Monday from Bkirki on the rival parties to hold the Presidential elections on time and for the swift formation of a new cabinet.
“The situation in the country is very dangerous and it can't go on. It's as if the leaders are incapable of confronting the impending challenges,” Gemayel told reporters after talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.
He urged officials to form the cabinet swiftly without any delay.
“It's time, despite the conditions and the counter-conditions, we should form a cabinet and agree on the common points that gather us,” Gemayel said.
Endeavors are ongoing to end the cabinet deadlock as Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam continuously said that conditions and counter-conditions set by the rival sides have brought his efforts to form a cabinet to a stalemate.
Since his appointment to form a cabinet in April, Salam has been seeking the formation of a 24-member cabinet in which the March 8, March 14 and centrists camps would each get eight ministers.
“We have called on Salam to overcome complications such as the distribution of portfolios based as a cabinet can't carry out its tasks without consensus,” the Christian leader said.
“The situation in neighboring countries is developing but Lebanon remains at an impasse, which is unacceptable,” Gemayel said.
Asked if he agrees that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun run for the upcoming presidential elections, Gemayel wished them luck.
President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May 2014.
Under article 49 of the Lebanese Constitution, the president is elected by secret ballot and by a two thirds majority of the 128-seat parliament.
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