Consultations to form the new government are continuing in Lebanon amid disagreements over the distribution of sovereign portfolios, and this comes at a time when Beirut witnessed a protest stand demanding the army to implement the international resolution on the "illegal" disarmament in the country.
The Free Patriotic Movement confirmed its rejection of what it called the "beatification" of any ministry for any sect in the government that Mustafa Adeeb was assigned to lead and form, proposing an experiment in distributing ministries known as sovereignty over the smaller sects.
The movement declared that it refuses to consider facilitating the birth of the government as if it is the consolidation of norms that grant ministries to specific sects or political parties.
He also affirmed his adherence to forming a government capable of achieving the required reform program.
He also confirmed his rejection of "imposing their signature on the Lebanese outside the constitution, or imposing other bodies that do not have a parliamentary majority or a charter to nominate ministers in the government."
The "Free Patriotic Movement" stressed that it would not submit to external pressures or the threat of sanctions, and rejected what it described as the domination of one party over the Lebanese, regardless of their power or strength abroad.
The formation of the new government faces a major obstacle, which is the insistence of the two largest Shiite parties (Amal Movement and Hezbollah) to retain the Ministry of Finance in the government, by naming this pair of the minister who will occupy the portfolio, in addition to participating in naming their representatives by presenting a list of names to Adeeb to choose ministers from. The Shiite sect.
On the other hand, Adeeb adheres to the principle of "rotation" in the sovereign, basic and service portfolios between the various sects, in addition to forming a mini government of specialists (experts) independent of the forces, currents and political parties.
Earlier, former Lebanese prime ministers Saad Hariri, Najib Mikati, Tammam Salam and Fouad Siniora confirmed that the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron constitutes an important opportunity that must be invested in accelerating the formation of the government to keep Lebanon from collapse and strife, as they describe.
Former heads of government urged the Prime Minister in charge of forming the government, Mustafa Adeeb, to adhere to his full powers in order to form the government as soon as possible, in consultation with the President of the Republic and under the roof of the constitution.
Lebanese leaders and political leaders pledged to Macron, who visited Beirut early this month, that the new government would be formed in a short period not exceeding 15 days, that it would consist of ministers who were efficient, and that it would have the support of all political forces, in addition to their approval of the "road map." The French proposal to save Lebanon, which includes "recycling" in all ministries and not excluding any sect in any ministerial portfolio.
For its part, the "International Support Group for Lebanon" called on the political leaders to act decisively and in a spirit of responsibility to give priority to Lebanon's national interest by forming an effective and credible government as soon as possible to begin implementing the necessary reforms.
The "International Support Group for Lebanon" confirmed - in a joint statement to its members today - that the reforms that the new government is expected to embark on are capable of addressing the challenges facing Lebanon and meeting the legitimate aspirations and needs expressed by the people.
The "International Support Group for Lebanon" includes the United Nations and the governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, China, the European Union and the League of Arab States.
The group was launched in September 2013 in order to mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon's stability and sovereignty and state institutions, especially encouraging support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the Lebanese communities hosting them, and government programs and public services affected by the Syrian crisis.
In a related context, dozens of activists participated in a protest in Beirut to demand the army to implement the international resolution on illegal disarmament in the country.
Activists organized a stand in front of the Ministry of Defense headquarters east of the capital, carrying banners reading "No to the state within the state", "No to illegal weapons" and "Yes to demarcate and control borders."
During the sit-in, activist Grace Al-Rayyes read a letter addressed to the Armed Forces Commander, Joseph Aoun, in which she asked him to develop a practical, phased plan for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1559, especially in the issue related to collecting weapons.
Security Council Resolution 1559, passed in September 2004, calls for the disarmament of the Lebanese militias.
Hizbullah’s weapons constitute a dispute between the Lebanese factions between those who support it under the pretext of confronting Israel, and those who consider it illegal and demand that the decision of war and peace be restricted to the hands of the state only.