BEIRUT – Lebanon’s opposition has agreed to a proposed national unity government line-up, paving the way to end five moths of political deadlock in the country. "We hope that this step will be beneficial for Lebanon and its people," Hizbullah said in a statement cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday, November 6.
The move came following a meeting of Hizbullah leadership on joining a unity government led by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
"Those who took part in the meeting agreed to join a national unity government based on the agreements reached during negotiations."
An official from Hariri's camp said they were awaiting official notification before announcing the new government, possibly on Saturday.
An official with the presidency said the stalemate was over and an announcement was imminent.
The proposed 30-member cab calls for 15 seats for the majority alliance and 10 for the opposition.
The remaining five posts would be appointed by President Michel Sleiman.
Hariri was tasked with forming a government after his coalition won a June 7 general election.
However since then he has struggled to bridge differences between his own bloc and the Hizbullah-led opposition.
Among the major points of contention were demands by Christian leader Michel Aoun, whose Free Patriotic Movement has more seats in parliament than any other Christian party.
Aoun had insisted on retaining the sensitive telecommunications ministry previously headed by his son-in-law Gibran Bassil.
Hariri initially rejected that demand but finally agreed. It was unclear on Saturday, however, whether Bassil would still be appointed to the post.
Aoun's party was also expected to be given the energy, industry and tourism ministries, while Hizbullah would get two cab posts.
Final Touches
Final touches are being put on the cab line-up.
"The government is as good as formed," MP Okab Sakr, who is close to Hariri, told New TV station.
"It's all about the final touches now and its formation will be completed this weekend."
Incumbents Ziad Baroud and Elias al-Murr, loyal to the Lebanese president, are set to keep their interior and defence portfolios, according to Reuters.
The new line-up is expected to feature new foreign and finance ministers.
Hariri had named Raya Hassan for finance minister, responsible for managing Lebanon's public debt burden, in an earlier proposal that was rejected by the opposition.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally to Hizbullah, is set to name the new foreign minister, who was likely to be retired university professor Ali al-Shami.
The agreement has spared Lebanon a new paralyzing political crisis.
A political crisis erupted in 2006 when all Shiite cab ministers resigned. It climaxed on May 7, 2008 when more than 100 people were killed in the country’s worst bloodshed since the 1975-1990 civil war.
A Qatari-brokered deal led to the formation of a national unity government in which Hizbullah and its allies had veto power over key decisions.
But that cab has not met since the June 7 election. It is an acting government only and cannot make administrative appointments or decisions.
Source: IslamOnline
The move came following a meeting of Hizbullah leadership on joining a unity government led by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
"Those who took part in the meeting agreed to join a national unity government based on the agreements reached during negotiations."
An official from Hariri's camp said they were awaiting official notification before announcing the new government, possibly on Saturday.
An official with the presidency said the stalemate was over and an announcement was imminent.
The proposed 30-member cab calls for 15 seats for the majority alliance and 10 for the opposition.
The remaining five posts would be appointed by President Michel Sleiman.
Hariri was tasked with forming a government after his coalition won a June 7 general election.
However since then he has struggled to bridge differences between his own bloc and the Hizbullah-led opposition.
Among the major points of contention were demands by Christian leader Michel Aoun, whose Free Patriotic Movement has more seats in parliament than any other Christian party.
Aoun had insisted on retaining the sensitive telecommunications ministry previously headed by his son-in-law Gibran Bassil.
Hariri initially rejected that demand but finally agreed. It was unclear on Saturday, however, whether Bassil would still be appointed to the post.
Aoun's party was also expected to be given the energy, industry and tourism ministries, while Hizbullah would get two cab posts.
Final Touches
Final touches are being put on the cab line-up.
"The government is as good as formed," MP Okab Sakr, who is close to Hariri, told New TV station.
"It's all about the final touches now and its formation will be completed this weekend."
Incumbents Ziad Baroud and Elias al-Murr, loyal to the Lebanese president, are set to keep their interior and defence portfolios, according to Reuters.
The new line-up is expected to feature new foreign and finance ministers.
Hariri had named Raya Hassan for finance minister, responsible for managing Lebanon's public debt burden, in an earlier proposal that was rejected by the opposition.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally to Hizbullah, is set to name the new foreign minister, who was likely to be retired university professor Ali al-Shami.
The agreement has spared Lebanon a new paralyzing political crisis.
A political crisis erupted in 2006 when all Shiite cab ministers resigned. It climaxed on May 7, 2008 when more than 100 people were killed in the country’s worst bloodshed since the 1975-1990 civil war.
A Qatari-brokered deal led to the formation of a national unity government in which Hizbullah and its allies had veto power over key decisions.
But that cab has not met since the June 7 election. It is an acting government only and cannot make administrative appointments or decisions.
Source: IslamOnline
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