Baabda Palace Responds to Controversy over Derbas, Assures He's a Centrist Minister

Baabda Palace assured on Saturday that newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs Rashid Derbas is considered a member of the centrist camp, along with Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Motleb al-Hennawi, deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and Displaced Minister Alice Chabtini.

The presidency's confirmation to Naharnet comes after reports said al-Mustaqbal Party had nominated Derbas as a Minister of Interior at one stage during the cabinet's formation process, hence, questioning his links with the March 14 camp.

Also, it has been pointed out that while Derbas (Sunni) might be linked to al-Mustaqbal, meanwhile al-Hennawi, who is a Shiite minister, is affiliated with the March 8 camp and hence, they would both be considered “king” or “guarantee ministers” in the new cabinet.

However, the presidency assured on Saturday that both Derbas and al-Hennawi are ministers of the centrist camp that includes President Michel Suleiman, PM Tammam Salam, and MP Walid Jumblat's Progressive Socialist Party.

Salam finally announced on Saturday the formation of a 24-minister cabinet, ten months and a week after his appointment.

The ministers have been distributed equally between the rival March 8 and 14 camps and centrists.