The government compound in downtown Beirut. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
After nearly a month of intense negotiations, the proverbial "white smoke" has finally emerged from the presidential palace in Baabda. The anticipation began on Wednesday evening, when Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam first brought a copy of his draft list of ministers to Baabda Palace, only to leave half an hour later saying, "Some issues still need to be resolved."Again on Thursday, Salam visited Baabda, this time meeting with both President Joseph Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. The latter left from the back door in a huff a short time later, and Salam departed from the front, saying nothing.The delay was reportedly due to a last-minute dispute over the identity of the fifth Shiite minister (in the position of Administrative Development), whom Hezbollah and Amal were intent on naming themselves,...
After nearly a month of intense negotiations, the proverbial "white smoke" has finally emerged from the presidential palace in Baabda. The anticipation began on Wednesday evening, when Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam first brought a copy of his draft list of ministers to Baabda Palace, only to leave half an hour later saying, "Some issues still need to be resolved."Again on Thursday, Salam visited Baabda, this time meeting with both President Joseph Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. The latter left from the back door in a huff a short time later, and Salam departed from the front, saying nothing.The delay was reportedly due to a last-minute dispute over the identity of the fifth Shiite minister (in the position of Administrative Development), whom Hezbollah and Amal were intent on naming themselves,...
