Wahhab: Hariri made significant concessions, approved a ‘one-third plus one’ formula

Source: nowlebanon.com, 30-07-2009

Tawhid Movement leader Wiam Wahhab said that Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri took bold measures and made significant concessions by approving to grant the opposition a "one-third plus one" of ministerial seats in the new government, making the overall share of the March 8 coalition 11 ministers.

This comes after the Amal Movement and Hezbollah approved of Adnan al-Sayyed Hussein to be appointed as the Shia minister within the president's share to vote in favor of the opposition, while Ghaleb Mahmasani was appointed as the Sunni minister, who will vote in favor of the majority.

"The government formation process could face some complications, especially since some Christians within the March 14 alliance keep rejecting proposals" on the formation of the new government, Wahhab said, adding that MP Boutros Harb insists on being assigned as minister, which he said remains an obstacle that hinders the government formation process.
Wahhab also stressed that he is adamant about granting the Druze the sovereignty portfolio in the new government, since "the president is Christian, the speaker is Shia and the prime minster is Sunni," as custom has it.

"Youth and Sports Minister Talal Areslan does not represent all the Druze within the opposition, and we do not accept representing each other in the new government," he said.
The movement leader denied that he is mediating between Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, stressing that "the opposition will not give up on Aoun," who has been calling for adopting proportionality within the new government.

Wahhab said that he expects Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Franjieh to visit Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir within the next few days as part of the reconciliations that are taking place within the Christian community.
Wahhab also commented on the Special Tribunal to Lebanon, saying that it is connected to the Palestinian naturalization and might lead to sedition between Shia and Sunnis.
He also warned that Israel would pay a "bigger price" than it did during the 2006 July War if it wages another offensive against Lebanon.