The New Cabinet – Under Construction

Lately, nothing is being solved in Lebanon easily. Every single politician is blaming the other side for blocking the formation of the cabinet. On a daily basis we saw attacks on General Aoun by the February 14 media. In my opinion, this is politics and blocs should demand their rights which is not considered as blocking anything.

The Change and Reform bloc backed-off their demand for the finance ministry and they will be getting public works, telecommunications, agriculture, power and the seat of vice premier. Hezballah will be getting 3 ministries (labor, youth and sports and a minister without portfolio) but as I heard, 2 of them will be given to a non-Hezballah minister inside the opposition. Amal will be getting 3 ministries (foreign, health and industry). This way, the opposition’s 11 ministries have been known but the cabinet is not formed. Can we now blame February 14 alliance for blocking the formation of the cabinet?

Saniora and the New Cabinet

After being appointed as prime minister by 68 votes (out of 127), Fouad Saniora held consultations with the Parliamentary bloc leaders to for the new cabinet which is supposed to be a unity government.

Some sources have been stating that the formation of this new government will not be easy. As it was stated in the Doha agreement, the government should be divided as follows: 16 ministers for the loyalists, 11 for the opposition and 3 for the president.