ROUND-UP 27-10-2009

The caretaker government enters its fifth month in function

News

No agreement has been reached so far on a comprehensive formula that would lead to the formation of the government, since according to sources; Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has not managed to persuade his allies of giving up any ministerial portfolios to satisfy General Michel Aoun's requests.

Sources within the Progressive Socialist Party assured that MP Walid Jumblatt formally informed PM-designate Hariri Saturday of his unwillingness to relinquish the Public Works portfolio in return for any other, even if it is the Ministry of Telecommunications or otherwise. 

According to the same sources, things still pivot on the "Telecom" hindrance, since the Lebanese Forces are unbending about keeping the Ministry of Justice.
Besides, the same sources have asserted that Hariri is conducting negotiations with different sides, which aim to reach an acceptable formula to Aoun . 

Close sources to Hariri assured that he is open to all proposes and determined to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Accordingly, one of Hizbullah's ministers said to Al Akhbar "he is optimistic that the government will be formed soon, this stance is the first to carry such a meaning since a while, and he also reiterates Hizbullah's support to Aoun's stances.

According to sources, Speaker Berri, MP Walid Jumblatt and MP Sleiman Franjieh are involved to a great degree in the contacts that are being made previous to the formation of the government. 

Majority sources stated that MP Sleiman Franjieh is making mediation efforts "of unprecedented importance" between Hariri and Aoun, adding that Franjieh is communicating with Hariri.
As-Safir
Titles
As-Safir publishes an accurate report of the domestic and foreign consultations aiming to form [the government]. 

The Telecom [portfolio] is back; decisive days anticipate Hariri.

Aoun: "I can be prevailed on to accept only what is right;" Jumblatt: "The hindrances are purely Lebanese."

News 

As-Safir has learned that PM-designate Saad Hariri's retracting his decision to give the Ministry of Justice to the Change and Reform bloc has brought the Telecommunications portfolio back into the negotiations round , though this time around with new standards.
The optimism was assured by official sources from both the opposition and the majority groups, who agree that there is a serious opportunity for the birth of the government before the end of this week.

MP Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir that the obstacles are now of a purely domestic nature, and if the dialogue between the prime minister-designate and General Michel Aoun persists at the same pace, a Syrian-Saudi agreement will be indisputably probable.
As-Safir has also learned that General Aoun received proposals made by PM-designate Hariri even though the expected call did not occur. Aoun apparently responded to them and Hariri, in turn, is expected to do so within the coming hours. 

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reportedly bespoke MP Ali Hassan Khalil with meeting Hariri yesterday evening. Khalil reportedly came back late into the night with a new proposals that may represent a resolution to the government formation deadlock. 

General Michel Aoun has tolerated a policy of behind-the-scenes talks and met for this purpose with many of his allies, the latest meeting being yesterday evening with MP Sleiman Franjieh.
Sources who visited Aoun quoted him as saying that "no one can prevail over me, whether domestically or abroad, and if my gardener is right, he would be the first who could prevail over me." Aoun said, "Either everything remains as it is [regarding the share of portfolios], or the rotational sharing [of ministries] should be approved." 

As-Safir has learned that Damascus and Riyadh have intensified their talks with their Lebanese allies. Meanwhile, Egypt has, for the first time, established contacts with the opposition, spreading the news that it does oppose the 15-10-5 formula.

An-nahar
Titles

The sessions appointed for electing [parliamentary] commissions are once again deferred, while waiting for a solution

The government stalemate is on the same trail as the presidential void

Hariri meets with Hizbullah and Franjieh

News

Political circles have started expressing serious concerns regarding the recurrence of the presidential void scenario with regard to the formation of the government in light of the widespread vagueness concerning the real reasons and motives that regularly thwart the success of domestic [government-formation] initiatives. 

These circles told An-Nahar that the allotment of eight essential portfolios is the source of sharp competition. The portfolios in question are: Health, Education, Energy, Telecommunications, Public Works, Labor, Social Affairs and Justice. 

Hussein Khalil, the political advisor to Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, visited Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri Sunday evening. Another meeting is said to be held soon between Hariri and MP Sleiman Franjieh. 

According to majority sources, consultations are still being made, and some are leading mediation efforts in order to aid the ongoing negotiations over the distribution of ministerial portfolios. The sources pertained to the role of MP Sleiman Franjieh in this respect. Meanwhile, the issue remains covered in secrecy. 

A Free Patriotic Movement source said once again that General Michel Aoun has been waiting since Saturday for Hariri's respond concerning the [government-related] proposals that have been made.
According to the FPM source, Hariri requested some time to go over things with his allies, and Aoun did not answer, especially following the proposal regarding the rotational distribution of ministerial portfolios. 

The parliament session, which is set to be held today to elect the parliamentary commissions, is expected to be postponed for another week in order to continue the ongoing consultations about the formation of the government. 

According to an opposition source, there is an agreement on preserving the religious and political balances for the elections of parliamentary commissions between the two groups and inside the opposition, pointing out that a religious reference figure stressed the need for earmarking the presidency of the Finance and Budget Commission for the Maronites, despite the political conflict on this issue.