Lebanon's cabinet ...... Until next year?

HAA writes from Beirut:

"My feelings, and I pray I am wrong, there would be no cabinet soon. What’s worse is that I do not know why. I don’t think anyone one knows. The P.M. Designate does not share his ‘secrets’ with anyone. It could be that he does not want to go to Syria after the cabinet is formed and before the International Court indictment comes (presently scheduled for March 2010). It could be that becoming a P.M. means that he has to get up early to go to the Saraya before it closes; now, he gets up around noon. It could be he does not like to share power with people he does not like. Rumors also has it that although King Abdallah (with strong support from Prince Nayef) gave him the green light, the Sudeiris, including Salman, are against him joining hands with Hezbollah in one cabinet. But no one knows. He meets Monday with Aoun and then does nothing to solve the problems facing him to form the cabinet. Moreover, Aoun’s statement Wednesday was not encouraging!!.

 

Saad’s relations with the President are bad since the latter’s interview with Al Hayat when he was in NY. Saad does not visit Baabda and does not even send someone to brief the President on the process of forming the cabinet. Junblatt sent to the President Wael Abou Faour to brief him on Saad’s meeting with Aoun. Junblatt is quoted to have told Nasrallah that he advised Saad not to go for the premiership because the Syrian will strongly undermine him (sharshahat), if he does not follow their will. It is also rumored that the President sent one of his advisers to visit with Saad and the adviser reported back that Saad is not in a hurry to form the cabinet (La shoo al ‘Ajala).

 

It seems that Junblatt surrendered completely; he is still a friend of Saad, but he is out of March 14. In his same and recent visit to Nasrallah, he told him that his oldest son Taymour is a  consignment (wadia’a) for Nasrallah in the Socialist Party. Taymour, as reported long time ago was against his father’s change in policy in 2004. Junblatt also told Nasrallah that Taymour is taking over the party with young men who think like him. A lot of leaking to the press came out of Junblatt meeting with Nasrallah and it all came from Junblatt sources.

 

Very little communication between Saad and Berri as well, because the latter did not name him for P.M. during consultations. Hussein Khalil does meet with Saad occasionally on behalf of Hezbollah.

 

As for 'our' Christian leadership, the March 14 leaders have little to say beside criticizing Aoun. And very few now listen to what the Patriarch has to say.

 

In conclusion, if the cabinet is not formed this week (and no signs that we are moving in this direction), then it may go to next year."