Erslan: Jumblatt’s position reduces foreign interference in domestic affairs

Source: nowlebanon.com, 13-07-2009

Youth and Sports Minister Talal Erslan said in an interview with OTV on Sunday that the recent positions adopted by rival Druze politician, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, toward the opposition were positive and would reduce foreign interference in domestic Lebanese affairs.
Erslan said that while the opposition had repeatedly called for forming a national-unity cabinet, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri had not yet proposed any formula to the opposition regarding its formation.
"We support granting President Michel Sleiman a decisive share in the cabinet under one condition: this step should be taken in accordance with the constitution," he said.
Erslan added that any rapprochement between regional countries would have positive repercussions on the Lebanese situation.
"I doubt the Constitutional Council will be able to make firm decisions regarding electoral complaints," he said.
He noted that Lebanon is capable of rejecting Palestinian naturalization, despite what he called foreign countries' attempts to impose this matter on the country.