The first French comment on the extension of the deadline for the formation of the Lebanese government

On the eve of the end of French President Emmanuel Macron’s term to form a new government in Lebanon, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Agnes von der Molle said that the priority in Lebanon should be to form a government at one time. whose task is to carry out basic reforms that contribute to the advancement of the country.

A French diplomatic source revealed to Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that Macron had made many contacts in the last 24 hours with political leaders, and assured them that he did not mind extending the French deadline by a few days, in order to preserve the initiative, and because he was aware of the difficulties and complexities of Lebanese composition, but his patience would not. Extended.

Macron had said on September 1 from the Pine Palace in Beirut: “The government is within 15 days and the reforms within 8 weeks”, hinting at sanctions in case of “disability and the persistence of corruption”.

Adeeb’s move was not surprising, despite all the information indicating that the prime minister-designate would present his final formation to President Aoun before the French deadline expires on Tuesday, given that obstacles still exist.

A French diplomatic source: Macron made several contacts in the last 24 hours with political leaders, assuring them that he did not mind extending the French deadline by a few days.

Private sources at the Baabda Palace had told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that the meeting discussed the specifications of the ministerial names that Adeeb proposes, and that they have characteristics that satisfy the Lebanese street uprising and restore citizens’ confidence in the Council of Ministers. Adeeb adhered to the logic of the mini-government that does not include more than 14 ministers, while abandoning some ministries that have no importance and no work they do, especially in the current circumstance, and there was already a tendency to abolish them, with the necessity to separate the prosecutor’s office from the ministry to ensure the principle of accountability, accountability and parliamentary oversight. .

Immediately after President Adeeb left the Baabda Palace, the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, began consultations with heads of parliamentary blocs on the situation of the government in light of the latest developments, provided that President Aoun completes his meetings tomorrow Tuesday with the heads of other parliamentary blocs with the same purpose, which he will boycott until now. The Lebanese Forces “(headed by Samir Geagea, who did not name Adeeb in the binding parliamentary consultations), on the pretext that his position is” known “, and the” Democratic Rally “, affiliated with the Progressive Socialist Party, headed by Walid Jumblatt.

The representative of the “Democratic Rally”, Representative Hadi Abu Al-Hassan, told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that the bloc will not participate in the consultations for “constituting a transgression of the sect and a violation of the constitution, and a further deadlock process, and we have already participated in accordance with the rules of parliamentary consultations that are binding and non-binding, and we said. ” We have seen it clearly and frankly, and we have nothing to add, “emphasizing” the need to get out of the open maneuver and go directly to form an emergency government with concrete objectives and a schedule of deadlines in accordance with the French initiative so as not to enter the unknown “.

It should be noted that Jumblatt went to Paris on Sunday, on a visit that a member of the “Democratic Encounter”, the MP Faisal Sayegh, told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that he has a family and private matter, but that it is natural that also consult with the French administration and high-ranking political figures. To facilitate President Macron’s initiative and chart the next steps after the formation of the government, a meeting between Jumblatt and President Macron may take place, noting that it may not be announced to the media.

The two “Hezbollah” and “Amal”, especially the last one headed by Berri, adhere to the Ministry of Finance, through the sectarian quota system, which guarantees them the position of competent minister after the presidents of the republic and the government, noting that the ministry once sanctions several ministers of different sects. The movement has become more adherent to the financial portfolio, in response to US sanctions against former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who is also an adviser to Berri. Although the president of Parliament confirmed that he will not participate in the government, and is working to deny any media discourse issued against his government positions that are not broadcast by his office.