First Stage of Government Formation Consultation Ends, Miqati to form Government Soon
Lebanese Prime Minister designate Najib Miqati kicked off Wednesday his parliamentary consultations for the government's formation.
The consultations started today, Wednesday with heads and members of parliamentary blocs, where the first meeting was with Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.
Miqati's following meetings were with former PM Saad Hariri, former PM Foad Siniora, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Farid Mkary, and Head of Change and Reform Bloc General Michel Aoun.
PM Najib Miqati Meets Development and Liberation bloc headed by Speaker Berri
Speaking on behalf of his bloc, MP Ali Hassan Khalil stated after the meeting what his bloc wants to be on the priority agenda of the government to be formed.
1- Following up the issue of kidnapping Sayyed Moussa Al Sader and his companions
2- Issuing the implementation decrees for the fuel law
3- Continuing the compensations of July war and previous "Israeli" wars
4- Installing cornerstone for the Laytani River project, and Al Asi dams
5- Setting the Tripoli and Zahrani filters into action again
6- Issuing an election law on the basis of provinces and percentage, tackling the electricity issue
7- Considering administrative appointments and fill in empty positions and enhance inspection
8- Tackling issues regarding the economic and social crisis
9- Meeting the demands of the General Financial Union
10- Supporting the army, people, resistance equation
The Development and Liberation Bloc MPs confirmed that Speaker Nabih Berri will be waiting for the outcome of the parliamentary consultations in order to find out the structure of the government to be formed.
MP Meets Future Bloc MPs
On the other hand, the Future Bloc met with PM Najib Miqati, as part of the scheduled parliamentary consultations.
On behalf of Future Bloc's MPs, MP Foad Siniora said that his bloc's members have come to confirm their commitment to the constitutional mechanism.
Siniora on his part addressed Miqati, hoping the latter would clarify his stance clearly in the ministerial statement regarding the following matters:
"First, do you commit to not agreeing on removing Lebanon's commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, asking to stop financing it, taking back the Lebanese judges, and canceling the understanding memorandums signed between Lebanon and the UN?", Siniora asked.
"Do you commit to not stating any of these issues on the Ministerial Council's agenda and not approving any bill in this context?" He also asked.
MP Siniora also claimed, "Second, do you commit to setting a time plan to collect the arms pointed at civilians in all the Lebanese territories, except the arms pointed at "Israel"? Which should be enrolled in a defense strategy especially after Hizbullah broke the Doha agreement".
Siniora asked Miqati whether he would implement the dialogue table decisions according to a specific timeline, especially regarding the disarmament in spreading camps.
Foad Siniora also said that these requests have come at the time where the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is the only way into revealing the truth about former PM Rafiq Hariri's assassination.
Khalil Denounces Siniora's Requests, Asks Whether Collecting Arms Includes Arms Used in "Day of Rage"
On the other hand, MP and Speaker Barri's political assistant, Ali Hassan Khalil, responded to Foad Siniora's requests, saying that these requests and questions are crippling and should not be addressed at PM designate Najib Miqati.
Khalil asked Siniora, "Does the intention to collect the arms include the arms used the day before yesterday and caused many injuries?" in reference to the Future Movement's Day of Rage.
In a press conference, Ali Hassan Khalil stressed saying that who obstructed the government and parliament's course of work is who refused to tackle the false witnesses issue, and refused to refer back to the constitution in voting.
Aoun: No Decision Adopted far From Constitution's Framework Can Remain under Implementation
Furthermore, General Michel Aoun, after his meeting with PM Najib Miqati, announced he hoped that the PM designate would save time and form the government, clarifying that stances have become clear.
Following the Change and Reform bloc members' meeting with PM Miqati, Aoun said the government to be formed should be full of competencies, covered politically with the government's components.
Aoun added that the government should be able to adopt decisions, stressing that the gap cannot continue until the very end.
MP Michel Aoun stressed that combating corruption should be on top of the government's list, especially the issue of financial wasting.
In another context, Head of Change and Reform Bloc urged to stop the Lebanese contribution in financing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying it hasn't passed by the approval of the President and the Parliament.
On this level, Aoun stressed that any decision adopted far from the framework of the constitution cannot remain under implementation.
