Bassil Says FPM Open to All Options Regarding Cabinet Formation
Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil stressed on Friday that the adoption of the concept of rotating ministerial portfolios in the upcoming cabinet hinders the Free Patriotic Movement's participation.
“Those who think that they can impose on us a de-facto matter should realize that what we can do is bigger than the current political situation... We are strong,” Bassil said in an interview in al-Joumhouria newspaper.
He pointed out that the FPM “is open to all options as it has 27 lawmakers at the parliament and a Christian support.”
The FPM minister wondered that if Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam's cabinet will last for a short period of time to oversee the upcoming presidential elections then why is there insistence on the adoption of rotating ministerial portfolios.
Salam, who was appointed in April, is holding onto the concept of “fair, balanced and comprehensive rotation of portfolios,” which is rejected by the Free Patriotic Movement.
The cabinet formation process was put on the front burner after Speaker Nabih Berri proposed a revised 8-8-8 government formula and President Michel Suleiman said he would form a so-called neutral cabinet if the political rivals don't agree on an all-embracing government within ten days.
Asked if there is any intention to exclude a certain party from the cabinet formation process, Bassil denied the matter, saying there “is an unacceptable behavior to leave out Christians.”
He noted that the FPM has been supporting the formation of a new cabinet and exerted efforts to bridge the gap between the political foes in order to reach common grounds, however, the minister demanded a fair and balanced formula that should reflect the party's weight in the parliament.
Bassil said that the FPM is dealing “positively” with the cabinet formation negotiations.
Amid the Lebanese Forces' rejection of Hizbullah's participation in the cabinet, the March 14 camp has reportedly accepted the 8-8-8 formula in principle, but it is awaiting answers pertaining to the ministerial policy statement and the rotation of portfolios among political parties.
The 8-8-8 formula divides ministers equally between the centrists and March 14 and 8 alliances, in which each get eight ministers with “decisive ministers” for the March 14 and 8 coalitions.
Bassil expressed belief that the March 8 alliance, specifically Hizbullah, will support the demands of the FPM.
“An all-embracing cabinet will be formed but it will lose its credibility if Christians didn't support it,” the minister said.
The minister called for real “national partnership.”
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