04 July 2005

BEIRUT: The eagerly awaited birth of Lebanon's new government looks set to be delayed after discussions aimed at forming a Cabinet descended into political squabbling over the allocation of ministries. Newly designated Premier Fouad Siniora is struggling to put together a government encompassing all factions of Lebanon's anti-Syrian opposition after Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement threatened to withdraw from Cabinet negotiations if it was not given the Justice portfolio.

FPM spokesperson Tony Nasrallah told The Daily Star: "If we are not allocated the justice portfolio we will not participate and will work outside of the Cabinet as opposition, adding, "The Justice portfolio is very important to us, because we believe we can carry out a major part of our anti-corruption program in this ministry."

But the chances of the FPM getting the portfolio are slim. Future Movement leader Saad Hariri, whose party holds the single largest number of seats in Parliament, is likely to have a large say in appointing the next Justice minister because of the pivotal role the department will have in continuing the investigation into the assassination of his father, former Premier Rafik Hariri.

Speaking after a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Hariri said the Justice Ministry was "of great significance to us."

He said: "There is the assassination of Rafik Hariri, and this is a very sensitive issue for us, which makes this ministry important for us."

He added: "I have great trust in the FPM, and they trust me in return. We will see what happens, but we want this portfolio for a specific thing."

It is understood Hariri is keen for the incumbent, Khaled Qabbani, to remain in place.

Aoun is demanding four seats in Cabinet, and is understood to have earmarked Lebanese legal expert and former Judge Youssef Khoury for the Justice post.

Nasrallah said the FPM was waiting for a response from Siniora regarding their request.

But even if an agreement can be reached with the FPM, other obstacles remain, including the ongoing demand by President Emile Lahoud that his son-in-law Elias Murr be given the Defense Ministry post.

Weekend reports indicated Siniora was considering offering Aoun the Defense Ministry although Nasrallah denied this was the case. He said: "Aoun was very clear when he said none of the MPs in our bloc will take part in the Cabinet, and he is an MP."