Bassil to March 14: Let Clinton Resign Since She Lost in Elections

Telecommunications Minister Jebran Bassil accused March 14 forces of instigating a problem by refusing to give him a cabinet portfolio due to his defeat in the June 7 elections.

"It is natural for us (the Free Patriotic Movement) to name our ministers. We don't put conditions on any team and we can't accept that any side puts conditions on us," Bassil said in remarks to Lebanese press on Thursday. "The opposition has agreed that each side names its own ministers," Bassil stressed.

The March 14 forces are accusing FPM leader Gen. Michel Aoun of obstructing formation of the cabinet as a result of his insistence to give a cabinet seat to his son-in-law Bassil.

Bassil told the newspapers that the law or constitution do not prevent giving portfolios to those who have lost the parliamentary elections. "The premier-designate did not make direct contacts with us since his return (from his vacation). If they want to form the government then they have to immediately move to the issue of portfolios," Bassil added.

"Since the March 14 General Secretariat wants to change the universal system, it should send US President Barack Obama a memorandum asking him to discharge US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, since she lost the US presidential elections," Bassil said sarcastically.