BEIRUT: Lebanon’s opposition groups formally informed the president on Tuesday of their rejection of a proposed government lineup by prime minister-designate Saad Hariri, raising the possibility that Hariri will step aside.
The billionaire magnate handed President Michel Suleiman his proposal on Monday, a move quickly rejected by the “March 8” opposition alliance, that includes Hezbollah, because it had not been agreed by them.
“We do not consider what happened to be appropriate, either with our democratic values or in how to deal with us. We were demanding from (Hariri) to present a draft that is acceptable to our demands in order to negotiate over it,” said Gebran Bassil, a Christian opposition politician, after meeting Suleiman.
“We have informed (the president) of our rejection but at the same time, we have illustrated all the readiness to continue dialogue and negotiation.” The delegation also included representatives from Hezbollah and its Shiite ally Amal.
Political sources said Hariri might react to the opposition’s categorical refusal by stepping down. Should he do so, Suleiman is expected to hold consultations with parliamentarians this week to designate a new prime minister.
With the US-backed Hariri holding the majority in Parliament after winning in June 7 polls, he is expected to be reappointed, renewing his mandate for the premiership.
Hariri had been unable to reach a deal with the opposition on the government since he was appointed prime minister in June.
The prolonged impasse over the government has held up key decisions on economic and financial reform. Some fear the standoff could revive sectarian tensions that have frequently sparked street violence in the past.
Hariri’s act itself does not change the overall reality, said Paul Salem, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. “I tend to think it helps move the ball forward. It gives it some dynamism,” he said.
“It will attract regional and international attention, puts Lebanon in the headlines again, indicates there is a problem, which might trigger some ’help’ to ... push players here to get this deal done,” he said, referring to the factions’ competing regional and global allies.
