Caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil stressed that a cabinet of national unity is worth the wait and sacrifices, “but not to the point of extortion in a bid to impose illogical demands.”
Following the meeting of “Strong Lebanon” parliamentary bloc on Friday, Bassil said that they do not interfere in the formation process, stressing that they have never presented an initiative or made any call in this regard, “since it is the duty of the prime minister-designate.”
He noted that the fair criterion is one minister for every five deputies, explaining that if the 4-minister criterion was applied, the cabinet would have been made of 38 ministers.
“It is true that the constitution does not set a deadline for the cabinet formation, but PM-designate Saad Hariri must set a deadline for himself,” he stated, pointing out that in case the new cabinet fails to gain the parliament’s confidence vote, they will re-appoint Hariri but under new basis.
“What is the worst that could happen? If we were not satisfied with the formation, we simply do not participate, is there a bigger concession?” he asked.
In the same regard, Bassil said that “everyone is ready to make concessions, but these concessions must lead to bigger productivity and success,” stressing that the time has come to make a decision; otherwise they will turn into opposition.
On the Sunni representation in the cabinet, the minister said they did not treat the PM as he treated them, stressing that they have disassociated themselves from this issue, hoping that Hariri will manage to resolve it.
Concerning the Lebanese Forces, he revealed that, contrary to what is being said, “the FPM is conceding everything.”
“Under the 1 minister for every five MPs criterion, the LF has the right to 3 ministers, even in accordance with the popular votes division between the four political forces and Christian parties,” he explained, stressing that targeting the share of the president is “dangerous strategy.”
“We have never had any issue with the Lebanese Forces holding a sovereign portfolio, but there is a national veto in this regard that is not related to us,” he clarified.
Also regarding the cabinet, the FPM chief said that there are three main service ministries dedicated for the Christian parties, wondering “how could the Lebanese Forces ask for two of them and claim that it is within their right?”
“If we wanted to obstruct the formation process, we would have demanded the Interior and Finance Ministries, as well as a cabinet of 32 ministries,” he said, emphasizing that they do not seek to hinder the government.
Bassil stressed that the FPM supports the Christian reconciliation and the Maarab agreement as a whole, stressing that the most important obstacle is the cabinet’s performance in the future.