Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri rejected on Friday that political parties demand in advance certain portfolios in the next cabinet lineup, directly responding to Speaker Nabih Berri, who previously announced that a Shi’ite minister should head the Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem called for forming a new cabinet that respects national unity as well as the results of the parliamentary elections, adding that all the Lebanese parties must cooperate to build their country and confront enemies.
Following his meeting with President Michel Aoun at Baabda palace Friday, Hariri told reporters that a cabinet session will convene next Wednesday, without confirming whether it would be the last session of the current government.
“I recognize one custom in Lebanon: The presidency of the Republic and that of parliament and the cabinet. I am not willing to acknowledge other customs. Preconditions on ministerial portfolios are worthless,” Hariri said.
In Lebanon, there is a custom stipulating that the president be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament a Shi’ite Muslim.
However, following last week’s Parliament elections, Berri, who is a Shi’ite, repeatedly spoke about a custom of a Shi’ite figure heading the Ministry of Finance.
Hariri rejected this demand.
In response to a question about the speakership, Hariri said: "If Speaker Nabih Berri is a candidate, then I am with him."
Concerning the next cabinet lineup, Hariri said, “Let us first elect a new Speaker and then await the results of binding consultations to see what would happen.”
After the new Parliament elects its Speaker, President Michel Aoun should hold binding consultations with legislators to name the next PM, who will negotiate with leading political parties and figures the lineup of the country’s next cabinet.
