Miqati: Formation of Government Product of Pure National Will

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati stated on Friday that forming a responsible government in Lebanon stems from “a pure national will”.

He said after holding talks with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman that he accepted his role as premier “in order to establish a national and productive government capable of living up to the expectations of the Lebanese.”

He stressed that it would be capable of confronting internal, regional, and international challenges, given the developments in the area.

He added that this sentiment remains the basis upon which he is conducting his efforts to form a government.

Addressing U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent speech on the Middle East, Miqati said that some points in his statements require clarifications.

“It’s important that the American president have a serious will to reach a solution to the region contrary to the efforts of previous U.S. presidents,” he continued.

The people in the Middle hope that Obama would follow up his words with actions through taking practical measures to achieve comprehensive peace, Miqati said.

Earlier on Friday, Miqati had stressed that he rejects to adopt customary decisions as long as the constitution clearly states that he signs with the president the cabinet formation decree after consultations with parliamentary blocs.

"My only intention is to form a cabinet as soon as possible" and deal with the people's concerns and economic, social and security problems, Miqati was quoted as saying by An Nahar daily on Friday.

"I believe that the price of waiting is less than the price (paid) for the formation of a cabinet that is not at the required level," the prime-minister designate said.

When asked why he wouldn't deal with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun the same way former Premier Fouad Saniora and Caretaker PM-Saad Hariri have done, Miqati said: "I understand their circumstances but I would be laying the foundation for norms."

He said he rejects such a move as long as article 64 of the constitution clearly states the role of the premier-designate and the president in the formation of the cabinet.

"We can't implement the constitution if it is in our interest one day and ignore its implementation another day if it's not," Miqati stressed.

Asked about accusations by the FPM that he hadn't conditioned Hizbullah and Amal to provide him with three names for each ministry as he had done with Aoun's bloc, the premier-designate said: "This is not true. I have asked it from Amal movement, Hizbullah and the Progressive Socialist Party and all the blocs and sides that will participate in the cabinet."

"Only Hizbullah and the FPM haven't proposed names to us," he added.

Miqati also denied that he had received a message from U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly to delay the formation of the cabinet. "We don't receive messages from anyone," he said about himself and President Michel Suleiman.

Asked how he would be able to form a successful team if the president, PSP leader Walid Jumblat and Miqati lacked veto power, he said: "The most important thing in the cabinet formation process is how to rule with my team in the interest of the country."

"I don't intend to enter the government to become part of a quarrel. I don't believe in veto power," Miqati added.