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| 07/07/2008 A national-unity government would be formed in Lebanon once the loyalty bloc fixes its internal differences and decides on the distribution of its share of cabinet seats. Given the current situation in Lebanon, the expected government would have to play a major role in fortifying unity among Lebanese to be able to face all possible difficulties.
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Kassem announced on Monday that the opposition had informed Prime Minister-Designate Fouad Saniora of its stance, in full detail, in the new government, stressing that the ball was now in the loyalty bloc court, where the alliance’s internal disagreements should be resolved.
Speaking to Lebanese radio station An-Nour, Sheikh Qassem said he expected a government formula would be officially announced in a few days. "Much has been said about the Doha Agreement," he continued. "The opposition has adhered to the agreement seriously, although some players objected to the agreement."
Hezbollah quickly made the decision on how to distribute its three ministers among the opposition’s ranks as the party prioritized the opposition over its own limited gains, his eminence noted.
Sheikh Qassem confirmed Hezbollah’s willingness to meet with different Lebanese parties to address national issues and "eliminate the effects of partisan or sectarian tensions."
AOUN FINDS DELAY IN CABINET LINE UP STRANGE
For his part, the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun said that he found strange the ongoing delay in the cabinet line up.
"What was the loyalty bloc doing during the past few weeks?" Aoun wondered, commenting on Lebanese Forces chief claims that his bloc has the right to five days to accomplish the mission "since it took the opposition five weeks to agree on its share of cabinet seats."
The General stressed the loyalty bloc was not capable of renouncing the agreement he has reached with Prime Minister-Designate Fouad Saniora concerning the cabinet portfolios. "The loyalty bloc has no right to delay the cabinet line up for five days, or a day, or even a minute," the FPM leader said.
Aoun said the Change and Reform bloc would improve conditions in the ministries it was to take over. "The Ministry of Energy is bankrupt, and we will uncover what is going on inside. We have the ability to improve the situation. The Ministry of Energy is one of the most important ministries in the country, as a large part of production is dependent on energy," he added.
The lebanese MP also noted that he would continue to reflect the demands of the Lebanese people. "We are about to see what we will be taking over in the ministries, and what we will be leaving behind," he added.
Commenting on Geagea's demands for his representation in the forthcoming government to be "in line with its weight," Aoun said one minister only should represent the Lebanese Forces in the new cabinet.
The General also asked the Justice and Administrative parliamentary committee to speed up its discussions over the new parliamentary elections law in order to adopt is as soon as possible.
SULEIMAN CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL UNITY
Meanwhile, Lebanese president Michel Suleiman anticipated Monday the cabinet formation and urged the forthcoming government to strengthen national unity, emphasizing the need to respect difference in opinion, stressing that the basic mechanism exists. "The question, at the end, is whether we want a prosperous home for all or not," he highlighted.
On the ministerial statement, Suleiman stressed it should be inspired by Arab Ministerial Council’s statement, the Doha Agreement as well as his own inaugural speech, which was the center of widespread praise.
The President reiterated his faith in the Resistance as a national element of strength for Lebanon which the nation must take advantage of in forming a national defense policy. "I find that everybody in Lebanon is compliant on this matter. Today, we are in a new stage, and we must draw from all elements of strength we have," he stated.
On whether the next attempt at dialogue is set to take place before the ministerial statement is issued, Suleiman said what counted was that "dialogue is governed by all teams and serves the public interests of the Lebanese," adding that he was hopeful "given that the dialogue will join opponents who are voluntarily returning to the table to improve the political system."
"If there was no such will, imagine what could happen, especially in a country like Lebanon, which is based on pluralism… I hope that the atmosphere surrounding the dialogue is better than that which prevailed in the past," he concluded. | 
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