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Al Ain News
Saturday 9/19/2020 4:52 PM Abu Dhabi time
On Saturday, former Lebanese heads of government issued a four-way call to save the French initiative to form a non-political mini-cabinet, at a time when the Shiite duo continue to insist on squandering the Elysee opportunity.
Former Lebanese heads of government Fouad Siniora, Tammam Salam, Najib Mikati and Saad Hariri called on Hezbollah and the Amal movement to withdraw their membership of the Finance Ministry, as it contradicts the French initiative that includes the provision of rotating ministerial portfolios between sects.
After a quadripartite meeting, the four presidents said in a joint statement: “The initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron constitutes an important opportunity that must be invested in accelerating the formation of the government, to keep Lebanon away from collapse, sedition and evils. that surround it. ”
And they considered that “France, whose president perceived the magnitude of the dangers Lebanon faces, was kind enough to take the initiative to provide support and assistance and to launch an integrated political initiative for a solution that resulted in commissioning Dr. Mustafa Adib to form a government according to a specific mandate in form and content, and should work for its success. ”
The four presidents urged the designated president “to adhere to his full powers to form a government as soon as possible, in consultation with President Michel Aoun and under the roof of the rules stipulated in the constitution.”
The invitation is not limited to the need for the success of the initiative for the heads of government, but is agreed by the different parties. They consider it to be the last chance to save Lebanon, or else it will enter the stage of the unknown.
Lebanese Forces Deputy Georges Akis, in turn, commented on the quartet’s statement, saying: “We do not see in the foreseeable future any stage of salvation except the success of the French initiative.”
And he was surprised by the behavior of some based on obstructing the formation of the government, despite the extension of the hand of the French, wondering: “Why do you reject this initiative by putting obstacles and conditions?”
Akis added: “I am amazed that the Shiite duo have gone so far with their position, at the time when all parties, including their main ally (the Free Patriotic Movement), are facilitating the task of authorship and we will abandon the previously prevailing norms. in the formation of governments “.
In turn, MP Majed Eddy Abi Al-Lama tweeted under the authority of the Lebanese Falangist Party, saying: “There is not a ray of hope except by judging reason and conscience and turning to the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese and turning to the constitution … the French initiative is an opportunity, difficult to repeat … it must not be lost “.
The Free Patriotic Movement refused to dedicate any ministry to any sect, referring to the adherence of the Shiite duo to retain the Ministry of Finance, again after a meeting headed by Representative Gebran Bassil, their adherence to the rapid establishment of a government that respects standards unit and be able to be productive and work effectively to achieve the required reform program.
According to the Free Patriotic Movement, he provides advice without setting conditions, and has no demand, but at the same time refuses to consider any facilitation by him at the birth of government as if it were the consecration of any custom that corresponds to any ministry to any sect or group.
The Free Movement considered that the most important criterion at this stage is not the sectarian and political affiliation of the minister, but rather his enjoyment of the moral, capacity and experience to fulfill the agreement.
Therefore, Free Patriotic Movement MP Asaad Durgham said on Twitter: “In light of the suffocating economic and social conditions, we are amazed how some people create a new constitution and private customs. “Dergham attached his tweet with (hashtag) the story will have no mercy.”
Likewise, the deputy of the Free Patriotic Movement, Salim Khoury, emphasized that “there is no alternative to find a solution to the problem of the Ministry of Finance and facilitate the task of forming the government”, warning that “losing the opportunity to form and frustrate the initiative French will have dire consequences on the financial, economic and social reality in Lebanon that no party can. ” Carry everywhere”.
In a radio interview, he stressed that “the problem facing the formation is not with the president of the country, but lies in the adhesion of a certain team to the Ministry of Finance”, recalling “the position of the Free Patriotic Movement on integral rotation and the refusal to establish new sectarian norms that are not in the constitution. ”
He added: “The creation of these norms does not occur at this particular moment, mainly because we are not forming a classic government, but an important government that comes with a French initiative, made up of specialists committed to the reform provisions that have been agreed “.
On Thursday, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a group of individuals and 4 entities for their alleged links to Hezbollah and Iran.
The sanctions were directed at one person and two companies, “Arch Consulting” for engineering studies and consulting and “Architecture” for Engineering and Contracting, the second of its kind during the month of September, which Washington imposes on Hezbollah’s Lebanese allies. and Iran.
Since the sanctions were announced, Hezbollah or Lebanese officials have not issued any positions, at a time when the Shiite duo (Hezbollah and Amal Movement) are still hampering the formation of a government more than two weeks after Mustafa Adib left. named.
