President Aoun to address the concerns of all politicians over cabinet formation, report

The office of the presidency issued a statement assuring that President Michel Aoun is determined to address the concerns of all politicians [over the formation of the Cabinet]and invited them to meet with him at Baabda Palace.
“ President Michel Aoun confirms his commitment to the concerns of everyone and his determination to address them all,” said the statement issued Friday.

It added: “He therefore invites each official or politician to meet with him at the Presidential Palace to ease his fears. The President is entrusted to implement the constitution, to achieve just representation in the constitutional authorities and on the proper implementation in accordance with the provisions of the constitution as along as the goal is the supreme national interest.”

The statement appears to open the door of his Baabda Palace to rival Suleiman Fringier to discuss the formation of the Cabinet and to resolve any outstanding issues.

The president statement is reportedly meant to prove that he is not the one hampering the Cabinet’s formation and aimed at rebuilding bridges with Frangieh

Hezbollah , which is allied to both Aoun and Fringieh is supposed to play role in attempting to bridge the gaps that are impeding the formation of the Cabinet according to analysts.

Free Patriotic Movement President Gebran Bassil, who is also the caretaker foreign minister reportedly met with Hezbollah top security official Wafic Safa Thursday and asked him to seek a way to bring Frangieh on board.

Rival political parties are competing over key ministries such as Telecommunications, Energy, Finance and Public Works.

Although Frangieh was earlier offered the Education Ministry, he rejected it. In response, Speaker Nabih Berri said he would attempt to convince Frangieh otherwise.

Both Berri and Frangieh opposed the election of Aoun as president and refused to vote for him.