Lebanese 30-Minister Government Headed by PM Najib Mikati Sees Light , Minister Areslan Resigns
Lebanon appointed Monday a new government headed by Najib Mikati, a presidential decree read by Government Secretary General Suheil Bouji announced.
The new government will hold its first session Wednesday after a commemorative photograph of the members of the government.
The following is the lineup of the new government:
1- Najib Mikati-Prime Minister
2- Samir Mukbil-Vice PM
3- Talal Areslan-Minister of State (Resigned)
4- Nkoula Fatoush State Minister of Parliament Speaker Affairs
5- Ghazi Aridi- Minister of Labor
6- Ali Kanso- Minister of State
7- Ali Hassan Khalil- Minister of Health
8- Mohammad Safadi- Minister of Finance
9- Mohammad Fneish - Minister of State of Development Affairs
10- Wael Abu Faour- Minister of Social Affairs
11- Jebran Bassil- Minister of Power and Water
12- Hussein Haj Hassan - Minister of Agriculture
13- Charbel Nahhas- Minister of Labor
14- Fadi Abboud- Minister of Tourism
15- Salim Karam- Minister of State
16- Alaadine Terro- Minister of Expatriates' Affairs
17- Ahmad Karameh- Minister of State
18- Nazim Khoury- minister of Environment
19- Fayez Ghosson - Minister of Defense
20- Shakib Kortobawi- Minister of Justice
21- Adnan Mansour- Minister of Foreign Affairs
22- Nkoula Nahhas- Minister of Economy and Trade
23- Marwan Charbel - Minister of Interior
24- Elias Tabonjian- Minister of Industry
25- Walid Daouk- Minister of Information
26- Banous Manajin- Minister of State
27- Hassan Diab - Minister Of Education
28- Ghabi Lyon- Minister of Culture
29- Nkoula Sahnawi- Minister of Telecoms
30- Faisal Karameh - Minister of Youth and Sports
Prime Minister Miqati: Government Belongs to All Lebanese
Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Monday after the formation of the long-awaited new government that he will remain committed to the constitution, liberation of Lebanon's occupied territory, and dialogue as a means to end dispute among the Lebanese.
He said from the Baabda Palace: "I thank you for your tolerance and for bearing all the obstacles and demands we faced during the government formation process. We have overcome the differences in the government formation and we should immediately head to work. We hope the Cabinet will earn your confidence and the confidence of your representatives in parliament," he said, addressing the Lebanese people.
The PM noted that the government's most important goals are to hold fast onto the Taef accord, defend the Lebanese constitution and liberate the remaining lands occupied by the "Israeli" enemy.
Miqati announced his government line-up following nearly five months of arduous negotiations over key portfolios including the Interior, Justice and Telecommunications Ministries.
"There can be no substitute to coexistence to confront the major dangers facing Lebanon," Miqati continued.
"This government belongs to the whole of Lebanon. Don't judge intentions and the people, but their performance," he added.
The Prime Minister credited Speaker Nabih Berri for his efforts in the formation process, saying it would not have been formed without him. "I took the last minute decision because the matters in the country had reached an unbearable point," Miqati concluded.
Areslan Refuses His Share in New Government
Lebanese Democratic Party leader State Minister and MP Talal Areslan resigned on Monday from the newly-formed government whose lineup was revealed earlier in the day. He said during a press conference: "In line with my convictions, I announce before the Lebanese people my resignation from the government of the so-called Premier Najib Miqati whom I am not honored to be seated next to." He added that he had nothing against all other ministers in government.
"Miqati tried to incite disagreements between the LDP, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, the Resistance and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt," he said."Such practices are deception and a conspiracy against national unity," the MP stressed adding "I believe that the worst is yet."
Areslan said that it was unfortunate that discrimination was adopted in the formation process and that the issue of the distribution of sovereign portfolios was dealt with in an "inappropriate" manner.
"It's as if the Druze aren't allowed to acquire the Interior, Finance, Defense, and Foreign Ministries," he noted. "This is a conspiracy against the social contract and national principles," he stressed, noting "It demonstrates the fragility of our political system, which has become marred with discrimination."
However, he said that nothing "can divide" him and Hizbullah. The MP demanded that Speaker Nabih Berri set him as the first speaker at the parliament session dedicated to granting the government confidence, adding that the Lebanese Democratic Party will not grant it confidence.
