Aoun calls for Lebanese government to represent all factions
Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, is pushing for the formation of a consensual government that has representatives from all political factions, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on January 22nd.
Aoun emphasized on January 21st the importance of all components of society being represented within the government, parliament and public administration, a practice already followed within the Lebanese army.
“We have significant opportunities that we hope to seize by uniting all elements of Lebanese society—civil, spiritual, and political. Together, we can rebuild our nation,” Aoun said.
Aoun is aspiring towards the fast formation of a government in order to attain political, economic, and security stability in the country, with the president saying that it would enable people “to live with dignity, not merely in relative comfort.”
“We are at a crossroads. Either we take advantage of the current circumstances and rise above sectarian, religious, and political divisions, or we head in a different direction and bear full responsibility for failing to fulfill our duties.” Aoun said at the Presidential Palace during meetings with professional delegations.
Talks between Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and political factions about government formation have been continuing. The discussions, which started last week, are directed towards speeding up the government formation process, issuing decrees, creating a ministerial statement, and gaining a vote of confidence from lawmakers. Reportedly, the discussions have made progress.
The Kataeb party stressed that Lebanon must make sure its ministerial statement focuses solely on the state’s control of weapons and national defence.
The group said: “The government must act decisively, dismantle militias, strictly enforce the ceasefire, and uphold its provisions across all Lebanese territory.”
The Kataeb party also pushed for Aoun and Salam to stand up against the “great extortion” of Hezbollah and Amal that aims to gain specific ministries or positions. The group called instead for the application of consistent standards to guarantee the government’s prosperity.
A member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, commented: “To those betting on Hezbollah’s weakness or the weakness of the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, what will you say when the government is formed? What will you say when you realize the strength of Hezbollah, the alliance, and the resistance’s supporters across all segments of Lebanese society? What will you say when you see the unwavering determination and unity of the resistance at every critical juncture?”
Asharq Al-Awsat
