Hizbullah Eyeing ‘Key’ Share in Cabinet

Source: 
Naharnet
Publication date: 
May 19 2018

Hizbullah party is reportedly eyeing an increased share in Lebanon’s new government amid reports it could “foil its formation” shall Prime Minister Saad Hariri respond to the U.S. “veto” against the party, Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Saturday.

Hizbullah, “will not accept to get the so called non-service-related ministerial portfolios like it did in previous governments,” said the daily.

The ministries of Youth and Sports, Administrative Development, State Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs and the Industry Ministry have been allocated to Hizbullah ministers in previous governments.

The daily quoted sources close to the party who said: “This time, Hizbullah is eyeing service-related ministerial portfolios in order to serve the people and fight corruption,” noting that the party's share should be three ministers if the Shiite portfolios were six.

The sources said the party “categorically rejects” any bid to distance it from the government, and that its political team enjoys a majority in parliament.

On the US sanctions on Iran and Hizbullah and their effect on lining Lebanon’s new government, they said that “there will be no government shall PM Hariri respond to the American veto...even if the government was formed, it will not get the confidence vote,” according to the daily.

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