Round-Up 9-11-2009

Titles

The government waits for Hariri's consent with Gemayel and Geagea.

"Israel": the inclusion of Hizbullah in the government makes all of Lebanon a target 

News

If all goes as planned, the last meetings between Hariri and the opposition are supposed to be held today. Sources reported that General Michel Aoun chose his ministers without having publicized any of them, while Speaker Nabih Berri has yet to say who his candidate is for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Well-informed sources from Kataeb reported that former President Amin Gemayel told PM-designate Saad Hariri that Kataeb principles have been troubled by having to abandon Sejaan al-Azzi and saying that "today you want us to abandon the Ministry of Education."

Besides, Nassib Lahoud has apparently returned as a possible ministerial name with President Michel Sleiman interested in his return along with Saudi King Abdullah, who pressed Hariri to reappoint Lahoud. This would be the shift that would finally put Harb outside of the government.
The rhetoric among many in the majority, mostly the Kataeb and the Lebanese Forces, has increased against the legitimization of Hizbullah's weapons but, according to a source close to Hariri, this is nothing more than an effort to improve their place at the negotiating table.

"Israel" threatened the incoming Lebanese government upon the announcement that it would be formed soon and with Hizbullah's inclusion in it, saying that they would hit Lebanese in reply to any aggression undertaken against it.
As-safir

Titles

Sleiman proposes modifying the powers of the president, prime minister and speaker... at the national dialogue.

The Lebanese Forces stresses their demand for the Ministry of Justice; Kataeb puts Hariri in a hard position over the Ministry of Education.

Aoun has chosen his names from a "high standard;" Future has not yet decided its ministers.

News 

President Amin Gemayel and Samir Geagea mount pressure on PM-designate Saad Hariri to improve their shares of Ministers, while President Michel Suleiman who anticipates the formation a government has strikingly called for modifications regarding Al Taif accord.

As-Safir has learned that President Michel Sleiman made contact with PM-designate Saad Hariri and told him that he hopes Hariri will complete the formation of the government today. Hariri responded by saying he is doing his best to deal with the most recent hindrance as quickly as possible, but without giving a definitive deadline.

MP George Adwan told As-Safir that majority forces are holding consultations in order to reach an agreement over the distribution of its portfolios and that the meeting would continue today.
MP Boutros Harb told As-Safir that he has from the onset not demanded obtaining or heading any ministry, saying, "That is what I told the Lebanese Forces and the rest of the officials involved in the formation of the government."

Sources from the leadership of the Free Patriotic Movement told As-Safir that General Michel Aoun has ended choosing the names of the ministers to represent the movement in the government and said that these names were of a "high standard."

On his part, president Sleiman said that the national dialogue would be held immediately after the formation of the government. 

An-nahar

Titles

The concluded structure [of the government] deadlocked over the allotment of five portfolios; Aoun to complete naming his nominees at noon today.

More time for the majority; disagreement over the ministries of Justice, Education and Labor.
Sleiman calls for a national dialogue after the government is formed

News 

The talks and meetings held yesterday at PM-designate Saad Hariri's downtown residence between leaders of the majority were unable to achieve a final allocation of ministerial portfolios and names for the majority forces, especially among the Christians in the majority.
General Michel Aoun has not yet informed Hariri of his nominees to head the ministries in Aoun's share.

The Lebanese Forces remain insistent upon the Ministry of Justice as an essential demand. They insist the MP Boutros Harb be given a ministry, however, Harb refuses to head any other ministry other than Justice.

Kataeb has said that it is keeping to the Ministry of Education about which Hariri actually informed former President Amin Gemayel that he wanted to be headed once again by the Future Movement with Kataeb receiving the Ministry of Labor.

MP Harb denied what had been reported about a proposal to give him the Ministry of Information instead of Justice. He told An-Nahar that "no one has discussed this matter with me," adding, "If I had any desire to be a minister, it would not be for any other ministry other than Justice."

Well-informed sources about the talks that were being held yesterday that Hariri held a large amount of meetings and talks with his allies, the most prominent of whom were former President Gemayel, MP Walid Jumblatt and former PM Najib Mikati. It is also expected that he will meet with MP Samir Geagea.

Sources told An-Nahar that the meeting between Gemayel and Hariri regarding Kataeb's demand for the Ministry of Education did not bring about any solution.

Sources have reported that the Lebanese Forces have increased their demands whereby, in addition to current Minister Ibrahim Najjar being reappointed to Justice and the Ministry of Social Affairs being given to Imad Wakim, they would be able to appoint a Catholic minister from Zahle from March 14's parliamentary bloc.

Aoun will reportedly not name anyone who lost in the elections to head ministries, except current Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil.

President Michel Sleiman said he expects the government to be formed shortly, saying, "It will be formed in the coming days and very, very, very soon," adding that "the national dialogue will be held again at the Baabda Palace after the government is formed."