MP Abbas Hashem: The President is an arbiter and is no longer a part of the dispute

Source: nowlebanon.com, 09-06-2008

Member of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc, MP Abbas Hashem was interviewed this morning by ANB television.

Hashem commented on the formation of the government saying, "The new president, Michel Suleiman, is an arbiter and is no longer part of the dispute. We all agreed that the Interior Ministry should be neutral and be a part of the president's share in the government. There are three remaining sovereign ministries, one for the Sunni and one for the Shia." He asked, "Why are they seeking to deprive Christians of a sovereign ministry?"

Hashem added, "If the Interior Ministry is the president's share, therefore, for Maronites, then the Treasury Ministry must be for the Greek Catholics. MP Michel Aoun is very flexible on the Christian level, and therefore, the Treasury Ministry can be his share in the government."

He added, "Is it possible that the party whose state-level financial policy has led to failure will be rewarded and given the Treasury Ministry?