Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah noted Saturday that “at first talks tackled the formation of a cabinet of 32 ministers to resolve the issue of the Alawite and Christian minorities’ representation as a national duty,” pointing out that President Michel Aoun agreed, while the prime minister-designate rejected. “Despite this, Hezbollah overcame this discussion to facilitate the process.”
In a speech he delivered on the occasion of “Martyr Day,” Nasrallah said that the Lebanese Forces party, which has 15 MPs, demanded 5 ministers and the Progressive Socialist Party demanded 3 ministers, which means the whole Druze representation, similar to the Future bloc; however, Hezbollah and Amal Movement accepted 6 ministers despite being represented in the parliament by 30 deputies.
“Humbleness in Lebanon is wrong, as we should have demanded ten ministers and we should have insisted on them, but we did not do so, because we are aware of the economic situation in the country,” he said.
On the issue of the independent Sunni deputies or the Sunnis of March 8, Nasrallah expressed pride in having these people with them, adding that these deputies are demanding being represented in the cabinet based on the parliamentary elections’ results. “Initially they wanted two ministers but we told them we support them on one minister,” he explained.
Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that they do not have any problem with the President and the Free Patriotic Movement being represented by 15 ministers, since they are strategic allies, clarifying that when they supported the demands of the independent Sunnis, they did not mean out of the share of the president, but that of the prime minister-designate.
Addressing all the parties, the Hezbollah chief said: “From the first day, we demanded from the prime minister-designate to take these deputies into consideration and allow their representation in the cabinet,” stressing that they supported this position from the start of the formation negotiations.
He also described failure to include them in the cabinet as an insult.
Addressing PSP chief Walid Jumblatt, Nasrallah said: “You delayed the cabinet for 4 months, this is why we can accept your statements on a delay in the formation after a similar period.”
“When the Lebanese Forces delayed the cabinet for 5 months, did we say anything? Did we become the obstacle when we supported the independent Sunni deputies?” he asked.
“If we wanted to hinder the formation, did we really have to hide behind the Sunni deputies?” he continued.
Addressing PM-designate Saad Hariri, he said: “If you really want to form a cabinet and assume your responsibilities, sectarian and confessional incitement will lead nowhere.”