Nomination of Kheireddine as State Minister Faces Obstacles
The nomination of Marwan Kheireddine to replace Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan in the cabinet is facing obstacles after some parties objected the nomination unless Kheireddine vows not to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The pan-Arab newspaper al-Hayat reported on Saturday that Kheireddine’s uncle MP Anwar Khalil, who is a Free Patriotic Movement ally, objects naming him as state minister unless he guarantees not to announce his candidacy for the Druze seat in Hasbaya-Marjayoun in the next parliamentary elections.
Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that Arslan will not go back on his resignation.
They denied that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat also rejects tasking Kheireddine.
They noted, however, that the upcoming days will witness an exit acceptable by all sides.
Concerning Arslan’s visit to Syria and talks with President Bashar Assad earlier in the week, the sources denied that the meeting tackled the cabinet issue.
The meeting focused on “regional issues and the conspiracy that Syria is being exposed to, and other strategic issues,” the sources remarked.
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