Salam arms himself with Taif, “forces” conditions… and a campaign for ministerial position
MTV website special
The non-binding parliamentary consultations end today, and the serious phase of formation will begin tomorrow, especially after the expected meeting between the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister-designate.
The features of the government formation have not yet been clarified, and what is said about the distribution of quotas and numbers is not yet accurate, especially since this issue was not discussed in depth between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister-designate.
Information indicates that the “Strong Republic” bloc informed Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam of its refusal to participate in a government that includes an obstructive third, and its ministerial statement contains what is related to the “army, people and resistance” tripartite.
MTV learned that Salam revealed, in some of his meetings, his adherence to the Taif Agreement and that the ministerial statement will set this agreement as a ceiling that all participants in the government must adhere to, instead of resorting to expressions that may upset this or that party.
As for rotation, Salam stressed that it is not permissible for a portfolio to remain reserved for a party or sect, but it is also not permissible for a sect or party to be deprived of a portfolio. This was interpreted as a prelude to granting the Ministry of Finance portfolio to the Shiite community.
On the other hand, leaks began related to the names of some ministers, without any of them being resolved yet, including the name of businessman Omar Harfouche, about whom politicians and media figures wrote, most notably former minister Wiam Wahhab, who wrote on the “X” platform: “We hope that Presidents Aoun and Salam appointed ministers with serious competencies, far from the accounts of those controlling the state, and representing all regions, such as Akkar, Iqlim al-Kharroub, and the Western Bekaa. We have great competencies. Abroad, let it be used. Omar Harfouche is a role model in Tripoli and many others.”
In this context, it was learned that Harfouche has a program that includes comprehensive points for the advancement of Lebanon, while providing aid that can be invested in productive projects and to enhance the reality of some sectors. He had issued statements of support for President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and intends to come soon to Lebanon and organize a major artistic event. After performing more than one concert in Europe.
