After years of continuous control of the government, the pro Hariri Sunni leaders and clerics warned that "the sense of injustice or exclusion of any group at the national level creates a sectarian conflict within the (Lebanese) community." In a clear sign of further sectarian divide used for narrow political gains.
Premier-designate Najib Mikati met Caretaker Labor Minister Butros Harb on Thursday signaling the resumption of talks between the billionaire businessman and the March 14 forces.
Mikati's sources said that the meeting was "positive" and the cabinet formation process was making progress.
Harb hinted that the door was still open for March 14 to participate in the cabinet, saying both Mikati and President Michel Suleiman want a government that includes all sides.
"We are open to dialogue," Harb said, stressing however that "March 14 would not compromise on its principles and the blood of its martyrs."
However, the announcement of the make-up of the next government is likely to be delayed as Mikati resumes talks with Christian factions of the March 14 alliance, amid continuing discord over the interior portfolio, which is being sought by the Free Patriotic Movement.
A senior source from the March 14 coalition, however, ruled out the bloc’s participation in the Mikati-led government. “It remains virtually impossible for any of the March 14 groups to take part in the next Cabinet,” the source told The Daily Star.
While inter-Sunni tensions were brought to Dar Al-Fatwa. Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati, who is backed by the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp, on Thursday attended together with his Sunni rival Saad Hariri a broad Sunni meeting at Dar al-Fatwa in Beirut.
The meeting at 12:30pm was called to order by Lebanon's Grand Sunni Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani.
The council’s meeting, the first of its kind since 1987 when Prime Minister Rashid Karami was assassinated, was attended by the prime minister-designate, caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, as well as Sunni ministers, lawmakers, and top clerics.
The Sunni leaders warned that "the sense of injustice or exclusion of any group at the national level creates a sectarian conflict within the (Lebanese) community."
Lebanon’s highest Sunni body lashed out at Hezbollah without naming it and accused it of undermining state institutions and of utilizing its weapons as a means of intimidation.
"All the Lebanese people want to establish a state through a democratic system which guarantees diversity and does not exclude any sect."
After the meeting, Hariri threw a lunch banquet at the Center House in honor of the participants.
Miqati also visited Beit el Wasat (the Center House, Hariri's Beirut residence) and held a brief meeting with Hariri, in the presence of MPs Mohammed Safadi and Ahmed Karami.
The three "then left as Miqati had a previously scheduled meeting at his residence," according to Hariri's press office.
Mikati said he responded to Hariri’s invitation as his relationship with him “has always been positive.”
The source added that in parallel with his dialogue with March 14’s Christian groups, Mikati was pursuing talks with Aoun to find a middle ground concerning government portfolios.
Aoun discussed recent developments on the Lebanese political scene as well as efforts to form a new government with Syrian President Bashar Assad Wednesday. Aoun, who traveled to the Syrian city of Aleppo to celebrate the Saint Maroun holiday, praised Syria’s efforts to preserve Lebanon’s stability and unity.
An FPM source said negotiations between Mikati and Aoun were yet to arrive at a solution, adding that the Aoun-Assad talks did not cover the government formation process. The FPM source said the interior portfolio remained the major obstacle. “The situation is still difficult, especially concerning portfolios and shares in the government,” said the source.
|
