FRI 29 - 3 - 2024
 
Date: Jun 4, 2011
Source: The Daily Star
Lebanese Press Digest June 04, 2011

Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Saturday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.


Al-Akhbar
Mikati waits for Aoun’s list and Aoun waits for the formation


A number of those concerned in the government formations process assert that there is progress being made. Others who are also concerned in the formation process assert that things are still as they were and that the over-optimism is misplaced.
There are still “hidden stitches that prevent a conclusion in the current face of the Cabinet formation process for there are positions and steps taken that signal progress in the efforts, while there are others that signal that there has been no change.”


What is certain is that the recent optimism stems from “a gift by March 8 to put in order its house an then establishing what resembles a communications forum for those concerned in the cabinet formation process as result of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun’s recent concessions over the sixth Maronite ministerial post.”
The two aides, one belonging to Hezbollah, the other to the Amal Movement, visited Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati Friday. According to Marhc 8 sources, the two Khalils informed Mikati about the details of the talks within March 8 and particularly concerning Aoun.


The sources said the outcome of the talks with Mikati meant that “there remain only some details but these can be easily overcome.”
Sources in the new majority said Aoun was holding off on handing his list of candidates until he had a better picture of the Cabinet formation with regards to the distribution of posts to blocs and sects.

 

Al-Joumhouriah
The June 8 session scrapped with the protests at the border

The majority: Government before the end of the month


Souces involved in the government formation said efforts were still ongoing in terms of names of candidates as well the means for distributing Cabinet portfolios. Prominent March 8 sources told Al-Joumhouriah that the fifth month in the government formation process would not end without a Cabinet, noting that the deadline for the birth of the government would be in a week’s time at the least or two at the most. The sources added that Aoun, as well as managing to hold on to his portfolios, secured the justice, defense and labor portfolios. The culture portfolio could also go the Aoun, the sources added. They said Jibran Bassil, current caretaker energy minister, and Charbel Nahhas, current telecoms minister, would return but that the latter was not certain to retain his ministry.
Sources close to the cabinet formation process said the time-wasting was over and that those involved in the process were convinced that now was to time to announce the results. Sources said circumstances were positive which suggest that the government might be formed prior to June 8.
They also said the June 8 parliamentary session had likely been scrapped. After the Tripoli parliamentarians announced they would not take part in the session, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt announced he too would not participate. Al-Joumhouriah has learned that neither Jumblatt, nor members in his bloc, will attend the session and that this decision had been arrived at after coordination with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in order to prevent a quorum, fearing that a session might lead to further divisions between the opposition and new majority.


An-Nahar
United Nations: No information about the indictment


Events in Syria in the last 48 hours have seeped onto the Lebanese scene in terms of the stalled cabinet formation process. A new push to form the government was linked with Damascus’ need for a new Cabinet in Lebanon that can assist it in facing international pressures, according to sources in the formation process, sources close to the formation process said.


Source close to Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said the atmosphere was more positive after relevant sides showed the flexibility that needs to be translated on the ground from where the previous cabinet formation talks had ended.
Sources close to Mikati denied rumors that the prime minister-designate had received from relevant sides lists of candidates for ministerial posts.


The UN also issued a statement concerning recent news reports in An-Nahar that the General Secretariat had issued instructions in preparation for the release of indictments in the case of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, according to An-Nahar’s correspondent in New York.


“We have seen articles in the Lebanese media today [Friday] concerning preparation to issue indictments by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon ... The court is an independent body and the UN’s General Secretariat does not have detailed information concerning the … indictments and when it will be released,” a spokesman for the United Nations said in a statement.


 



 
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