It has been clear that the new government will not be formed soon, with March 14 still setting its conditions to participate in the cabinet. However Prime Minister Designate Najib Miqati still launching consultations with political parties.
In another development, An-Nahar daily reported that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would soon release the indictment in the 2005 assassination of the former premier Rafiq Hariri.
As-Safir daily ruled out that Miqati’s efforts to convince March 14 in joining the cabinet describing these efforts as the “impossible mission.” However, the daily continued, “Miqati seems willing to give more time.”
The daily also quoted circles close to Miqati as saying that no position will prevent the premier designate from continuing his dialogue with the March 14 forces in order to reach common traits that would help to form the government. But the circles noted that Miqati will not wait forever.
An-Nahar said that Miqati that “contrary to all prevailing impressions, contacts are still ongoing between Miqati and several March 14 parties. The circles thus revealed that the prime minister-designate met with Labor Minister Boutros Harb.”
Miqati asserted to An-Nahar that his meetings with some March 14 parties are not an attempt to break through their ranks, but rather to form an all-inclusive government. Mikati said that he is not about to start making mistakes with March 14 forces or any other party.
For its part, Al-Akhbar daily said, according to informed sources, that the “fact the negotiations are still ongoing means that the cabinet will not be formed before two weeks’ time unless some parties, especially within the March 14 coalition, decide to bring negotiations with Miqati to an end.”
Miqati on Tuesday voiced optimistic about forming a government capable of uniting the Lebanese and putting an end to the rival factions’ political divisions.
“My aim is to form a government capable of bringing the Lebanese together. I am working to form a government acceptable to the Lebanese,” Mikati told The Daily Star.
He said he was continuing contacts with all parties, including leaders from the March 14 coalition, in an attempt to reach agreement on an all-embracing government.
KATAEB PARTICIPATION
Informed sources told Al-Akhbar that the Kataeb is still holding negotiations with the prime minister-designate regarding its ministerial share, the shape of the government in general, its ministerial statement and its action plan.
The daily quoted sources as saying that Miqati believes the atmosphere was positive and that he did not see any blocked prospects.
A Kataeb official told the daily that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s statement, whereby the March 14 coalition would take part in the government or be part of the opposition as one, “expresses Geagea’s personal opinion and is binding for no one else but him.”
Geagea said on Tuesday that March 14's participation in the cabinet should be collective.
“If our demands are not met, we won't participate in the government," he told reporters in Maarab.
Circles close to premier designate told As-Safir that the Kataeb were more likely to take part in the government than the Lebanese Forces. The sources alluded to a burgeoning “flurry of ministerial appointment requests” from all parties and to heavy demand on important portfolios.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, General Michel Aoun met yesterday evening with PM-designate Najib Mikati, and the meeting lasted well into the night, Al-Akhbar reported.
INDICTMENT IN FEW WEEKS
On the other hand, head of the international tribunal's defense office Francois Roux has said that the indictment in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination case will be unveiled soon.
"The indictment will see light in a few weeks," Roux told An Nahar daily on the sidelines of a conference for lawyers from the Arab world to discuss the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
His statement was published in the newspaper on Wednesday.
The conference was organized at The Hague by the Scientific Association for Disseminating legal culture in the Arab World.
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