Muhammad Shukair wrote in Asharq Al-Awsat:
Interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati will not give in to the extortion and intimidation campaigns practiced by the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, the deputy Gebran Bassil, who went far in his threats saying: if he does, we will go beyond the constitutional and social chaos not to respect the our conditions and form a government that comes according to the political heir of the President of the Republic Michel Aoun, who does not lift a finger, according to an important political source, to establish deterrent controls for his son-in-law, as if he had given up its constitutional powers for its own benefit, and this contradicts its claim to be a partner in the formation of the government.
In his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the political source asks for the secret behind Aoun’s withdrawal from paternity consultations and the release of the arena for Bassil to negotiate on his behalf on the issue of forming a government. Because Aoun is handing over the command to Bassil, who in his name has the monopoly of negotiations, taking advantage of the pressure exerted by his ally, Hezbollah, on the premier in charge of forming the government, contrary to that of the Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri’s understanding of the position of Mikati against the backdrop of not allowing the political balance to be disturbed within the current government, which Bassil leads in his demands, replacing the largest number of Aoun-affiliated ministers with hawkish ministers who belong to the “national movement” and owe him absolute loyalty?
The same source confirms that Bassil’s threats to turn the tide will go nowhere, not only because he has nothing to lose, but also because it indicates his confusion and lack of clarity in his political outlook. change the political direction of the government by bringing high-caliber partisan ministers into a government in which parties and political forces are not represented by the partisans, but by those affiliated with them?
He believes that Mikati has no intention of replacing the provisional government with a government that is an exact copy of it, especially as Bassil has no intention of trusting the government unless he fulfills his conditions by appointing partisan ministers, provided that the president-designate agrees to fire the governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salameh and promote the officers who graduated from the Military School in the 1994 session, known as General Michel Aoun’s course, and issuing a series of appointments to ensure the continuity of the course of President Aoun’s legacy after the expiry of his presidential term on October 31, in addition to his signature and to the Minister of the Interior of the special decree issued by Aoun which grants Lebanese citizenship to a large number of Arab and foreign nationalities.
The same source excludes that Mikati and the Minister of the Interior Judge Bassam al-Mawlawi agree to sign the decree, which will have no effect if it does not bear their signature and asks if this decree corresponds to the naturalization decree that Aoun signed in 2018, without leaving the Public Security to check the names of its beneficiaries, some of them are Palestinian and Syrian citizens.
It also asks: Why did the Shura Council of State refrain from considering a review of the appeal filed by more than one political party on the grounds that granting citizenship to Palestinian personalities contradicts the preamble of the constitution by refusing to resettle Palestinians?
He believes that Basil is still fumbling because he doesn’t know what he wants other than to impose his rule on the government by getting the third block in it, and says that Mikati is not inclined to accept his terms and that the solution lies in his positive management of the offer. made by Aoun, who promised to study it and later returned to ask for the enlargement of the government with the addition of 6 political ministers to allow the imposition of his control over it.
He says communication has been cut off between Mikati and Aoun, who delivered his order to Basil, perhaps he could impose his conditions on him by bullying with the surplus of power that Hezbollah enjoys, which insists on watching him instead of interfering to soften your position. He says the party is pressing to form a new government or float the current one under the pretext that it is necessary to form it to handle the vacancy in the Presidency of the Republic in the absence of international conscription to lobby to complete the presidency elections on time or restore its status. achievement for a short time, provided it is not extended; Because the country can no longer tolerate being dragged into a series of chaos that could lead it into the unknown.
The same source confirms that Bassil is giving strong power to Hezbollah, which he uses to divert attention from its lack of willingness for regional reasons to elect a president in time, says Basil’s threats will have no political repercussions; Because they remain within the confines of sound bombs, especially since he is well aware that playing with civil peace will backfire and lead him to a confrontation with the security forces, especially the military establishment.
He points out that Basil’s insistence on raising his political limits by including a number of conditions has received resistance not only from Mikati, but also from major political forces, particularly those opposing him on the Christian path. , acts as if the “strong deal” still holds the initiative.
Therefore, the mediation undertaken by the Director General of Public Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, to overcome the obstacles that prevent the government from floating, is still in a vicious circle until “Hezbollah” refuses to intervene with Bassil to withdraw his conditions. , and he presses for the government to float at any cost, provided that Mikati takes into account Considering the need to observe his ally, and this is what he rejects because it is not possible to lead a two-class government; One manages personally and the second is subject to Basil’s directions and moods. As to the fact that Bassil has invoked in his campaign against Mikati that he wants to take over the government and confiscate the powers of the President of the Republic, his excuse, according to the political source, is not appropriate as long as Aoun distances himself from meddling in the consultations. of the government and leaves the son-in-law with freedom of decision.
