Friday, July 15, 2005

The Lineup: Check The Names

UPDATE2: Aoun said yesterday that he will contest the government lineup before the Constitutional Council if Lahoud agrees to it. Aoun claims that the lineup does not uphold the Constitutional principle of balanced national representation (i.e.: he's not represented)....I wonder what works for Aoun...

UPDATE
: I updated the lineup based on official sources; there are some considerable changes, so read over.

Okay, this is the lineup that Seniora presented to Lahoud today morning. There are some changes made to the mix, however all in all it looks like the original lineup that Seniora prepared before Aoun's agreement to join the government. The lineup basically has a mix between technocrats, Parliamentarians from the Hariri/Jumblatt/Qornet Shehwan/Lebanese Forces bloc, Hizbullah/Amal's bloc, and Lahoud's allies (whom he asked to be represented). Sources say that this government lineup is blessed by HA/Amal.

We're left with Lahoud's agreement now, who already issued a statement saying that he encouraged Seniora to return to the negotiating table with Aoun. Is this a joke??!!!

Here's the lineup:

Maronites:
Jihad Azour (Finance), Charles Rizk (Culture), Nayla Moawwad (Social Affairs), Joe Sarkis (Tourism), Pierre Gemayel (Industry)

Sunni:
Fouad Seniora (PM), Bahij Tabbara (Justice), Hassan Sabeh (Interior), Mohammad Safadi (Public Works), Ahmad Fatfat (Youth and Sports)

Shiite:
Trad Hamadeh (Labor), Fawzi Salloukh (Foreign), Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh (Health), Talal Al-Sahili (Agriculture), Mohammad Fneich (Energy)

Orthodox:
Elias Murr (Deputy PM and Defense Minister), Tarek Mitri (Administrative Development), Atef Majdalani (Environment)

Catholic:
Michel Pharaon (State Minister), Nihmeh Tohmeh (Displaced)

Druze:
Marwan Hmadeh (Education), Ghazi Aridi (Information)

Armenian and Minorities:
Jean Ogassapian (Economy and Trade), Sami Haddad (Telecommunication)


"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."

7 comments:

Hassan said...

If it's true, I think it's very significant how Elias Murr gets to be Deputy PM, but without a portfolio.
Aren't we missing one Druze member? Just occured to me.

Hassan said...

Significant because it draws a possible plan of Lahoud's expected role: zero. Keep in mind what Issam Fares said about the post's being of no value or function. It would be interesting to know if Hariri wanted it this way or Lahoud/Murr just didn't want to be bothered with a portfolio!

Raja said...

Doha,

are you sure Sami Haddad is Armenian???

Anonymous said...

Raja,
How come your are not posting aymore?
Lying on the beach at oceana all day is no excuse for you to neglect you blogoduties :p

Hope you're enjoying your vacation at least.

Pat

Raja said...

Pat,

thanks for inquiring. I've given up even trying to post while I'm here in Lebanon! I simply have no time to myself to think! Family, friends, obligations and even some work simply leave me no time to sit down and contemplate.

Anyways, expect me to get back on track once I'm back in the States.

Again, thanks for the inquiry.

Anonymous said...

Doha,

UPDATE2: Aoun said yesterday that he will contest the government lineup before the Constitutional Council if Lahoud agrees to it. Aoun claims that the lineup does not uphold the Constitutional principle of balanced national representation (i.e.: he's not represented)....I wonder what works for Aoun...


On that note, If Aoun contest the lineup before the constitutional council, of course after the President signs the government formation decree, and if Aoun succeeds in his challenge, wouldn't that mean that the President has breached the constitution?
Wouldn't that open up a window to force the President to resign?

Just a thought to ponder...

Cheers

Anonymous said...

Cheers,

I am no destour scholar. But I think if Siniora has a list, Lahoud signs it, and Parliament votes on it. Aoun's challenge is nonsense (as it should be).