Christian leader says Lebanon may have a cabinet in 24 hours

Jul 4, 2008, 17:33 GMT

Beirut- Lebanon could witness the birth of a new government within 24 hours, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Friday.

Speaking after a meeting with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace, east of Beirut, he said the atmosphere was positive and he was hopeful of a breakthrough.

He attributed the delay in the government formation of Premier Fouad Seniora to the demands of the change and reform bloc which is headed by Christian opposition leader General Michel Aoun.

Geagea said there was a possibility of a meeting with Aoun under the auspices of the president.

Geagea proposed a national dialogue among rival Lebanese leaders prior to the issuance of a government statement.

'I suggested to president Suleiman that they hold a national dialogue after the establishment of the government and before drafting the government's plan of action, so that political factions can agree over the new government's basic principles,' he said.

Dialogue was needed in the light of 'major political differences', among the various factions, Geagea said.

Geagea said he also discussed with Suleiman the security situation and the regaining of state authority.

Earlier in the day, Geagea was quoted by the Future newspaper as saying Free Patriotic Movement leader Aoun was 'trying to achieve electoral political gains by blackmail.'

Geagea told the newspaper, which is owned by the head of the ruling majority, Saad Hariri, that 'the two parties blocking the formation of the cabinet are Syria and Hezbollah, and they are not concerned about the delay as long as they are not held responsible.

'Aoun is being used as a front while they are benefiting from the delay...(but) the government will eventually be formed because neither Syria nor Hezbollah can topple the Doha Accord.'

Under the deal struck in the Qatari capital Doha on May 21, the opposition, which is backed by Syria and Iran, will get 11 seats in the new government, the majority will get 16 seats and the president will appoint three ministers.

Negotiations between the various parties have stumbled over who should head the key defence, interior, finance and foreign affairs ministries.

Aoun is insisting that Suleiman choose a candidate for only one, rather than two, of these so-called sovereign portfolios. This is rejected by the majority.

He has also suggested that the prime minister's scope of authority be revised, prompting criticism from within his own camp.

The Doha accord also ended six-days of street fighting between followers of the opposition and the ruling majority that killed at least 82 people.