Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT1210
2009-11-09 14:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
HARIRI PUTTING FINAL TOUCHES ON CABINET FORMATION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001210
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINS LE
SUBJECT: HARIRI PUTTING FINAL TOUCHES ON CABINET FORMATION
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001210
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINS LE
SUBJECT: HARIRI PUTTING FINAL TOUCHES ON CABINET FORMATION
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (U) The last holdout in the opposition, Change and Reform
bloc head Michel Aoun, has assented to Prime
Minister-designate Hariri's cabinet formation proposal.
Following a meeting of the opposition leaders on November 6,
Aoun announced on November 9 that his bloc would be
represented by Charbel Nahas (telecoms ministry),Gebran
Bassil (energy ministry),Ibrahim Dedeyan (industry
ministry),Fady Abboud (tourism ministry),and Youssef Saadeh
(minister of state without portfolio).
2. (C) "We're almost there," Nader Hariri, advisor to the
PM-designate, said to us the afternoon of November 9 as the
PM-designate was completing negotiations with the Christians
in his March 14 coalition. Former Social Affairs Minister
Nayla Mouawad told the Ambassador the same day that the
independent MPs of the March 14 coalition were pressing for
MP Boutros Harb to represent them in the cabinet. Harb, who
had said publicly that he would accept the justice minister
position or remain outside the government, is being
encouraged to take the labor or information portfolios,
caretaker Minister of State Nassib Lahoud told the
Ambassador. Kataeb has also prolonged negotiations by
demanding the education ministry. Nader Hariri revealed to
us that caretaker Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar will return
in the same role, and Kataeb will receive the social affairs
ministry. Nader said that the PM-designate had received the
names of all of the opposition's ministers and the cabinet
will "most likely" be formed on the evening of November 9 if
Saad Hariri can resolve his allies' demands.
3. (C) COMMENT: With Aoun having obtained three Maronite
seats and three significant ministries, Hariri's Christian
allies are keen to establish their credentials with their
base. Nevertheless, they have made clear that they will ease
cabinet formation, so no significant delays are expected.
After the PM-designate and President Michel Sleiman jointly
sign the decree naming the cabinet, the new cabinet has
thirty days to submit its ministerial statement to the
chamber of deputies for approval. Until that time, they will
assume caretaker status.
SISON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINS LE
SUBJECT: HARIRI PUTTING FINAL TOUCHES ON CABINET FORMATION
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (U) The last holdout in the opposition, Change and Reform
bloc head Michel Aoun, has assented to Prime
Minister-designate Hariri's cabinet formation proposal.
Following a meeting of the opposition leaders on November 6,
Aoun announced on November 9 that his bloc would be
represented by Charbel Nahas (telecoms ministry),Gebran
Bassil (energy ministry),Ibrahim Dedeyan (industry
ministry),Fady Abboud (tourism ministry),and Youssef Saadeh
(minister of state without portfolio).
2. (C) "We're almost there," Nader Hariri, advisor to the
PM-designate, said to us the afternoon of November 9 as the
PM-designate was completing negotiations with the Christians
in his March 14 coalition. Former Social Affairs Minister
Nayla Mouawad told the Ambassador the same day that the
independent MPs of the March 14 coalition were pressing for
MP Boutros Harb to represent them in the cabinet. Harb, who
had said publicly that he would accept the justice minister
position or remain outside the government, is being
encouraged to take the labor or information portfolios,
caretaker Minister of State Nassib Lahoud told the
Ambassador. Kataeb has also prolonged negotiations by
demanding the education ministry. Nader Hariri revealed to
us that caretaker Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar will return
in the same role, and Kataeb will receive the social affairs
ministry. Nader said that the PM-designate had received the
names of all of the opposition's ministers and the cabinet
will "most likely" be formed on the evening of November 9 if
Saad Hariri can resolve his allies' demands.
3. (C) COMMENT: With Aoun having obtained three Maronite
seats and three significant ministries, Hariri's Christian
allies are keen to establish their credentials with their
base. Nevertheless, they have made clear that they will ease
cabinet formation, so no significant delays are expected.
After the PM-designate and President Michel Sleiman jointly
sign the decree naming the cabinet, the new cabinet has
thirty days to submit its ministerial statement to the
chamber of deputies for approval. Until that time, they will
assume caretaker status.
SISON