BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman voiced in remarks published Wednesday his opposition to March 8 demands for veto power in the new Cabinet to be formed by Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.
Speaking to An-Nahar newspaper, Sleiman "rejected the demands for a blocking third but had reservations over the rotation of ministerial portfolios."
On Wednesday, the Beirut lawmaker briefed Sleiman on his recent consultations with the various political groups with regard to the Cabinet lineup.
Tammam left Baabda Palace without making any statements.
The Hezbollah-led alliance has repeatedly asked Salam for veto power in his future government as well as a Cabinet lineup that represents political parties according to their parliamentary clout.
The March 8 group has also rejected the rotation of ministerial portfolios, arguing that such a move is merely aimed at lessening the Free Patriotic Movement’s control of the energy and telecommunications ministries.
Salam has said that he is seeking to form a government of ministers who are not running for the elections and that the veto power should be allocated to himself, Sleiman and MP Walid Jumblatt.
In his remarks Wednesday, Sleiman also warned that not holding the June elections would pose a danger to the economy and the Lebanese currency as investors would lose trust in the country's institutions.
“Every intention to refrain from holding the polls will cost the country,” he said.
The president reiterated that he would challenge any decree to extend Parliament’s term, saying MPs should go to the polls “with any new electoral law they invent, agree on or even the 1960 law.”
The lack of agreement on a new electoral for the June 19 polls has raised the possibility of Parliament extending its own term for a specific period to allow more time for the political parties to formulate a new draft law.
