Geagea Strongly Opposes Formation of All-Embracing Cabinet
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea reiterated on Monday his rejection to the formation of an all-embracing cabinet, stressing the importance of carrying out the presidential elections on time.
“We are passing through a delicate stage and only five months separate us from the presidential elections deadline... The only reasonable thing is to form a cabinet that aims at achieving Lebanon's highest interest without March 8 and 14 alliances,” Geagea said in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper.
He accused the March 8 alliance of obstructing the formation of the government by “terrorizing and threatening others.”
The Christian leader wondered why Hizbullah didn't discuss with the Lebanese sides it's plans to get involved in battles in war-torn Syria.
“We seek partnership with the Lebanese foes on all levels but they are not ready to do so,” Geagea said.
Asked about Speaker Nabih Berri's proposal to form a three-eight government in which the March 14 and 8 coalitions would have a so-called “decisive or key minister,” Geagea said that it's a disguised formula to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat's 9-9-6 cabinet lineup.
The March 14 alliance insists on the formation of a neutral Cabinet.
“We reject these formulas because participating in a cabinet with Hizbullah indicates our approval on its regional strategies and acts ,” the LF leader said.
Geagea urged President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to swiftly form a cabinet that fits their convictions to oversee the upcoming presidential elections.
“We reject any regional or international settlement concerning the presidential elections... And reject any attempts by some European countries to pressure Lebanese foes to name the president in advance,” he pointed out.
Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties as fears mount that the differences between the March 8 and 14 camps would lead to a vacuum the presidential post.
Suleiman's six-year tenure ends in May 2014.
Concerning the latest bomb attacks targeting several areas in Beirut, Geagae noted that the “Lebanese foes should swiftly form a cabinet to end the security deterioration.”
Last week, a suicide car blast killed four people in the Hizbullah bastion. An al-Qaida affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack Saturday.
On December 27, a car bomb attack killed eight people including former ex-Finance Minister and ex-PM Saad Hariri's adviser Mohammed Shatah, who strongly opposes Syria President Bashar Assad's regime. That attack took place in the heart of the Lebanese capital.
Analysts say Lebanon is suffering an accelerating wave of violence that reflects the conflict in neighboring Syria, which in nearly three years has killed nearly 130,000 people.
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