Arab League proposed helping Lebanon to resolve the cabinet formation crisis
On Thursday, Arab League (AL) Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki stated that the AL is ready to interfere to contribute in solving the Lebanese cabinet establishment crisis. This actually came after that he held discussions with top Lebanese leaders about the governmental crisis.
Indeed, the official held discussions with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
After that he spoke with Hariri, Zaki told to reporters after he informed the premier-designate that the AL was ready to help to defuse the crisis and bring Lebanon out of this predicament facing it because of the stalled Cabinet formation.
Zaki also said: I told the prime minister that the Arab League is ready to play any role required from it, either through shuttle diplomacy among the main Lebanese parties, or in the form of ensuring an Arab League ceiling for a meeting of the Lebanese political parties.
He also emphasized the need to place national interest before any other considerations, wishing that this crisis would be ended soon for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese state.
The 1989 Taif Accord
On his part, Aoun affirmed Zaki that Lebanon was committed to the execution of the 1989 Taif Accord, and he refused charges that he was trying to obstruct the accord.
Aoun informed Zaki: Any words that suggest that the Taif Accord is in jeopardy are not based on facts and are being propagated by known parties concerned with the Cabinet formation. While, Zaki stated that Aoun greeted the suggestion for the AL to host an inter-Lebanese gathering to resolve the Cabinet crisis.
About the difficulties to the government’s establishment and the signs that he detected in Baabda, Zaki indicated: We are not carrying an initiative and we are not pressing the parties, but we are annoyed and concerned over the political and economic situation in Lebanon.
He also said: The currently raised ideas, especially those proposed by Speaker Nabih Berri, are ideas that can be capitalized on and can represent a good exit from the current crisis.
