By Xinhua,
Beirut : The formation of a Lebanese national unity government is still delayed after two weeks of contacts carried out by assigned Premier Fouad Seniora, such a delay could push the country into political escalation.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an opposition figure, told Seniora that the opposition rejects the cabinet line up proposal which includes two formulas of distribution presented by Seniora, local Al-Akhbar daily reported Friday.
The daily quoted Berri as telling Seniora in a meeting which gathered them Thursday night, that “If the formation of the government fails, all possibilities are opened.”
Meanwhile, An Nahar daily quoted an opposition source as saying that the cabinet deals offered by Seniora were designed as “traps” to lead to disputes between Speaker Berri and Christian opposition leader Parliament Member Michel Aoun.
The daily disclosed Thursday the two baskets of the new government line-up, which were offered by Seniora to the opposition.
It said the first basket consists of the ministries of finance, public works, education, tourism, environment, youth and sports, culture and displaced.
It added the second comprises the ministries of foreign affairs, energy, justice, economy, trade and commerce, agriculture, health and social affairs.
Local press said there are four sovereign ministries, they are the defense, foreign, interior and finance.
The Doha accord reached on May 21 set 11 seats for the opposition, 16 for the majority an three for the president on condition that the president’s ministers are neutral and do not belong to neither the majority nor the opposition.
Seniora’s proposal gives the foreign ministry to the opposition namely to Speaker Berri, another sovereign ministry to the Majority, and two sovereign ministries to the president.
Minister Elias Murr who is nominated to get the defense ministry from the president’s share is not considered as neutral, since he has always been on the side of the majority, this leads to opposition rejection of giving him a sovereign ministry, Al-Akhbar daily said.
Lebanese newly elected President Michel Suleiman, who took office on May 25, assigned Fouad Seniora as the Premier to head the next government.
The agreement reached in Doha among Lebanese rival Leaders consists of three phases: the election of a new president, which was already accomplished on May 25 when President Michel Suleiman was elected, the formation of a national unity government with veto power for the opposition and the adoption of 1960 election law.