ROUND-UP of Major Lebanese newspapers, 4-11-2009
The formation of the government hit yet another brick wall represented by the fourth portfolio, albeit optimism lingers in the horizon, promising Berri's "happy ending". Meditating efforts by Hizbullah, Hussien Khalil and Franjieh have been intensified amid hopes that the solution will be a fair one. The last twenty four hours are decisive and no one can predict whether the tide will turn or a safe landing will end the deadlock.
As-safir
Titles
Franjieh boosts his efforts; Hussein Khalil assures the solution will be a fair one.
The government is at a standstill over the "fourth portfolio."
News
Sources told As-Safir that efforts have staggered upon an "essential detail," which the intensive talks that took place the night before last between General Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri failed to settle. This issue is set to be tackled today, but the results have been negative.
General Aoun rejected the Ministry of the Displaced during the meeting of opposition forces held the night before last in Rabieh. The Tourism portfolio was proposed to Aoun, who agreed on it, stressing that he certainly does not want the Ministry of Culture.
Hajj Hussein Khalil, the political advisor to Hizbullah's secretary general, said to As-Safir that "serious efforts are still being made, lines are open, discussions are ongoing, and there is a real workshop", adding that he hopes that the solution will be a fair one and it will be settled as soon as possible.
Hajj Hussein Khalil and MP Sleiman Franjieh purportedly made intensive mediation efforts between General Aoun and PM-designate Hariri to come up with a compromise on "the fourth portfolio."
According to sources, Economy Minister Mohammad Safadi did not get any sign that he may be allotted another ministry than that of the Economy.
As-Safir has learned that a phone conversation was held between PM-designate Hariri and MP Boutros Harb. Hariri also conversed several times with LF Executive Committee leader Samir Geagea. Meanwhile, former President Amin Gemayel held a series of meetings concerning the formation of the government.
Al Akhbar
Opening Titles
The government halts on one portfolio.
Aoun wants actual sharing; Hariri is tired.
Local News
The level of optimism concerning the formation of the government declined despite an earlier boost the day before last. The latest hours of negotiations didn't involve direct meetings yet sending messages through either mediators or media sources.
Speaker Nabih Berri, Hizbullah and MP Sleiman Franjieh are topping the mediation efforts between General Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, who had refused the latest offer to allot the Economy portfolio to a minister from the Change and Reform bloc, offering in return the Industry portfolio.
Official sources within the Free Patriotic Movement said that no new development has occurred, and "things remain deadlocked not only because of the issue of portfolios, but also for other reasons." The sources stressed that "the FPM is the party that sets the names of its own ministers."
Circles close to Speaker Berri and Hezbollah said that "progress has been made and the awaiting hindrances can be removed. However, the completion of this process is not limited to a deadline."
Besides, The head of the "Loyalty to the Resistance" bloc, MP Mohammad Raad ,expressed his insecure feelings toward the formation of the government during a speech at a launch organized by Mu'assasat al-Shahid (the martyr foundation) , questioning if there is an internal Trojan horse which prevents the completion of the formation process, under any pretext» .
Accordingly, a political figure from the majority expressed his pessimism concerning the formation of the government, saying that LF Executive Committee leader Samir Geagea, the March 14 General Secretariat, MP Boutros Harb and some Future MPs oppose "the compromises offered by Hariri to Aoun, since they challenge the figure of the prime minister-designate."
An-Nahar
Opening Titles
Sleiman expresses optimism as regards the formation of the government before the end of the week; Aoun holds on Bassil's nomination to the Ministry of Telecommunications.
Optimism at night is obliterated by the conditions set in daylight; the formation of the government is stagnated.
Ban: The window of opportunity opened by UNIFIL will not remain open forever.
News
President Michel Sleiman said to An-nahat that he is optimistic concerning the formation of the government before the end of the week. However, this optimism was scattered last night as the opposition's demands stirred multiple questions.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon submitted yesterday his eleventh report on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, in which he said he is "deeply concerned" regarding the latest incidents that occurred in South Lebanon.
The atmosphere of optimism declined regularly yesterday and was totally dispelled last night when no mention was henceforth made of a new meeting of "the opposition's action cell," as Al-Manar TV had reported during the evening.
Al-Manar had also implied that Aoun is seeking to preserve the other portfolios he already has after having received an offer that includes the ministries of Telecommunications and Energy. Accordingly, he was also demanding to retain the Agriculture and Social Affair portfolios.
On his part, Social Affairs Minister Mario Aoun assured the accuracy of the news to An-Nahar, saying, "All contacts have been suspended, since all the offers that were proposed are rejected in the first place unless they bear the same distribution of ministerial portfolios."
A close source to General Michel Aoun said that Minister Gebran Bassil's visit yesterday to Speaker Nabih Berri and to Hizbullah Secretary General Sayeed Hassan Nasrallah with whom he met in Dahiyeh intended to clarify Aoun's stance.
According to the same source, "the coming 24 hours will set the final orientation of the government formation process: Either the government will be formed by then or it will once again go into uncharted territory."
Majority sources told An-Nahar that the majority "does not intend to renounce the principle of the parliamentary election results," saying that no parliamentary session shall be held tomorrow, "since the parliamentary commission will not be elected before the government is formed and wins the confidence vote."
Ain al-Tineh sources said that Speaker Berri has proposed a solution during the past few hours in order to reach a "happy ending."
