AMERICAN LEBANESE COORDINATION COUNCIL

Posted in NEWS & ANALYSIS by Administrator on the January 30th, 2007
No Breakthrough in Lebanon Crisis in the Offing
Efforts to reach a breakthrough in the ongoing political crisis have reportedly ran into the same old rigid stands with the Hizbullah-led Opposition insisting on a one-third veto power, a demand vehemently rejected by the ruling majority.
The daily An Nahar, citing well-informed sources, said Monday the Opposition is yet again calling for a broader cabinet on the 19-plus-11 formula.The sources said the Opposition reiterated its rejection to what has been known as the “neutral” cabinet minister in a 19-plus-10-plus-1 formula.

The Opposition wants a “guaranteed one-third,” one source told An Nahar.

On the controversial issue of the International Tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes, the sources said the Opposition also refused to propopse amendments to the plan before the new report is released by Chief investigator Serge Brammertz next June.

The sources also said that the Opposition is once again insisting on early parliamentary elections as a condition to any settlement.

As Safir newspaper also said that contacts between Iran and Saudi Arabia have not yet reached a “serious political breakthrough.”

The sources said little progress has been made toward reaching a compromise between pro- and anti-government factions.

“There are questions that require answers from both sides,” one source told As Safir.

Meanwhile, Premier Fouad Saniora reached out to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and President Emile Lahoud in a fresh bid to resolve the political impasse that has crippled Lebanon since the resignation of six ministers last November.

Saniora’s office said the premier spoke by telephone with Berri and Lahoud late Friday.
Beirut, 29 Jan 07

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