Unbinding parliamentary consultations led Wednesday by Lebanon’s Premier-designate, Mustafa Adib, resulted in deputies announcing their support for the swift formation of a new government and implementing the needed reforms to salvage the country from its severe economic crisis.
But head of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Gebran Bassil demanded a rotation in the ministries while the Lebanese Forces rejected to have representatives in the government.
"If everyone agrees on the rotation of ministerial portfolios, that will be good for Lebanon; however, what is mostly important is that rotation does not happen within the same circle," Bassil announced after his bloc met with Adib.
He said what was mostly required is the formation of a cabinet capable of carrying out reforms. "We have no demands or conditions; all we seek is success in implementing reforms. We accept everything that others agree on," Bassil added, hoping for the rotation.
It was unclear whether Bassil’s proposal included the four “sovereign” portfolios (defense, interior, finance and foreign ministries) divided among the country’s main confessions – Shiites, Sunnis, Maronite Christians and Greek Orthodox - or it would involve a rotation in the Finance Ministry, which Speaker Nabih Berri has been holding onto since 2013.
“In my opinion, a rotation of the Finance Ministry portfolio is not on the table yet,” member of Berri’s Development and Liberation bloc Ayoub Hmayyed told Asharq Al-Awsat.
On Wednesday, MP Anwar al-Khalil, speaking on behalf of the bloc, pushed for a swift formation of a harmonious government of competent figures.
The new cabinet’s top mission would be to restore Lebanese, Arab, and western confidence in the state, while focusing on reforms.
Adib kicked off his parliamentary consultations by meeting with former PM and MP Tammam Salam, who said: "We want a government of specialists.”
MP Bahia Hariri, speaking on behalf of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc, touted the formation of a government of experts.
The Loyalty to the Resistance Parliamentary bloc expressed Hezbollah’s willingness to cooperate in the cabinet formation process. "We are fully aware of the difficulty of the current stage, and we hope that the new government will work for the release of international funds through the strict implementation of the required and agreed-upon reforms," said MP Mohammad Raad after meeting with Prime Minister-designate.
But the Strong Republic bloc said the Lebanese Forces seeks an independent government, and that it will neither participate in the cabinet nor propose names for the portfolios.
“We will not interfere in the new cabinet's formula,” MP George Adwan said, adding that his party will support a homogeneous and independent working group.
“But, first and foremost, the government should distance itself from conflicts,” he said.
For his part, MP Hagop Pakradounian, who spoke on behalf of the Armenian parliamentary bloc during the non-binding parliamentary consultations, stressed cooperation on the upcoming lineup.
