Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil announced Friday that any attempt to link the formation of the new government to the 2022 presidential vote would be “shameful,” as he expressed optimism that the cabinet will be formed soon.
Admitting that “there is a political standoff that surpasses the formation of the government,” Bassil announced after talks in Bkirki that “linking the formation process to the presidential election is a shameful insult against the intelligence of the Lebanese.”
“How can we obstruct the ideas that we are proposing? Bassil added after meeting Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, while confirming that he has proposed “five new ideas.”
“We are carrying out contacts away from the spotlight and we’re awaiting answers and I’m full of hope that a positive result will be achieved,” the FPM chief went on to say.
He added: “All these ideas cannot be rejected and the proposed solutions are based on the idea that everyone would be a winner and that a loss would affect everyone.”
“What’s important is that we don’t form a government based on political dismay and bickering,” Bassil said.
A standoff over Sunni representation in the new government has been delaying its formation since November, following similar months-long bickering over Christian and Druze seats.
A recent bid to resolve the deadlock was torpedoed after controversy arose over the political alignment of so-called consensus candidate Jawad Adra.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
