Date: Jun 27, 2018 Source: The Daily Star Lebanon: Cabinet formation unlikely anytime soon Sabine Darrous| The Daily Star Unless there are last-minute surprises, there seems to be no chance for an imminent government formation as disputes over Cabinet shares and representation deepen, especially on the Christian front, where both parties involved are engaging more and more in accusations and counter-accusations. What makes it more difficult is there are no signs the dispute between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces will be resolved soon, to the point of threatening a collapse of the Maarab agreement – the landmark deal that put an end to strife between the two Christian parties and facilitated the election of Michel Aoun as president in 2016. Even meetings between the two parties’ mediators, caretaker Information Minister Melhem Riachi from the LF and FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan – considered to be the godfathers of the Maarab agreement – have stopped recently and there does not seem to be any attempts to revive them in order to bridge the gap between the two sides. Although the Christian dispute is considered to be the main obstacle in the formation of a new government, there are other hurdles such as Sunni and Druze representation that are not yet resolved, all of which signals a delay despite Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s efforts and optimism a new Cabinet will be formed soon. Sunni representation in the new government still constitutes an obstacle given Hariri’s insistence the six Sunni ministers to be appointed in a 30-member Cabinet all be loyal to his Future Movement. Similarly, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt is also standing firm on his insistence to claim all three ministerial posts reserved for the Druze. Joumblatt’s demand was perceived as an attempt to prevent his Druze rival, MP Talal Arslan, from being named as minister in the new government. Political sources believe the delay this time could be due to the fact “no party is willing to show compromise on its representation,” unlike in the current caretaker government, which was unexpectedly formed in just 45 days, as it was perceived to be a short-lived Cabinet to oversee parliamentary elections. A source close to the LF said the party “had already compromised its share” in the current caretaker government when it consented to be allotted only three ministers, but stressed the LF is not willing to “offer more sacrifices” in the light of the May 6 elections, in which it almost doubled its parliamentary representation, boosting its bloc from 8 to 15 members. Following its gains, the LF is now seeking five ministerial posts as well as the position of deputy prime minister. It is seeking to be equally represented in the government with the FPM in conformity with the Maarab agreement, which according to the LF, stipulated equal representation between the two parties regardless of their parliamentary representation. In the elections, the FPM increased its bloc from 21 to 29 MPs, including allies. “If the Lebanese Forces get the share they are asking for then we should get 10 ministers excluding the president’s share [of ministers]. They have 15 MPs and we have 29. What logic are they basing their rhetoric on?” a source close to the FPM asked. But the LF source accused FPM head Gebran Bassil of “doing all it takes to bring down the Maarab agreement.” The source also accused Bassil of “greediness” as he is seeking to control Lebanon’s decision-making and get the maximum number of ministers for his party in the new government. The source said Bassil’s insistence on defending Aoun’s share of ministerial positions was an attempt to attain the maximum number of ministers loyal to his party while imposing conditions and restrictions on the rights of other parties. One of the main points of disputes between the LF and the FPM is the president’s share for ministerial seats and the position of deputy prime minister, which is currently held by caretaker Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani from the LF. Aoun and Bassil want to appoint a deputy prime minister loyal to the FPM, and Aoun even announced it was his right to do so Tuesday. An FPM source said the position of deputy prime minister is reserved for the president and Aoun had conceded to the appointment of Hasbani in the current caretaker government to show “good intentions” and to open channels of cooperation with the LF. “But after their policy and practice in the government overturning and opposing decisions [by FPM ministers] the president will not accept to give them this entitlement again,” the source said. The FPM argues that since the Taif Accord, custom dictated the president has the right to name a share of ministers to the government, a practice which was followed by all presidents since then. However, the LF opposes such a move since Aoun, who was the FPM’s head before his election, is the first president to be affiliated with a political party and is no longer considered to be standing on a “neutral side.” The LF considers the ministers to be appointed by Aoun to be part of the FPM’s share in the Cabinet. According to the FPM, the country’s “top Christian position” should be safeguarded and strengthened instead of being attacked, especially by a Christian party. “Those who claim to be concerned about the position of the president and his prerogatives do not attack and do not spare any opportunity to undermine the country’s top Christian position,” the source said. “We will continue defending this position and safeguarding its powers in front of anyone who thinks he can undermine it,” the source said, adding that the attack by the LF on this position was aimed at targeting Aoun personally. “If this was anybody other than President Aoun we wouldn’t have seen this war on him.”