Sheikh Qassem: No presidential election without prior agreement on a full basket points found in Aoun pocket

Source: Daily Star, 15-12-2007
Deputy Hizbullah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Friday that there will be no presidential election without prior agreement on a "full basket" of conditions that can be discussed with Aoun.
"We want a consensus president as part of a full basket. The basket includes the election of a president and a group of points that we want to agree on before the election," Qassem said. "These points are defined and written on a paper that is in General Michel Aoun's pocket. Go and negotiate with him and we could reach a thorough agreement in 24 hours," he added.
The conditions included in the basket are based on the principle of "partnership," Qassem said. He said that this agreement is "the solution, today, tomorrow, after tomorrow and until the end of time."
Addressing the ruling coalition, Qassem said: "Start dialogue. Delegate a person you deem suitable to sit with MP Michel Aoun and start negotiating the points."
What could be agreed on, according to Qassem, "requires guarantees. Such guarantees can be agreed on during the dialogue, and they could be an official declaration under French auspices, for example."
Qassem said that once both camps reach an agreement, they then can elect a president.
One of the debatable issues is distribution of seats in the new Cabinet, Qassem said.
"All what we are talking about is the structure of the government," he said in reference to the traditional opposition condition of having veto powers in the executive authority.
"We call for a quick political solution, if they are ready to accomplish this in a day or two then we are ready day and night," Qassem said.