Head of the Independence Movement calls on March 14 parties to halt negotiations over government formation pending Hezbollah’s approval of a preliminary agreement brokered by Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Walid Jumblatt.

Head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad urged March 14 parties to halt negotiations with Hezbollah over the Cabinet formation, saying discussions should resume only after the March 8 alliance accepts an inclusive rotation of ministerial portfolios.

The rotation of portfolios among political parties is an integral part of a preliminary agreement mediated by Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Walid Jumblatt stipulating that neither coalition wields veto power in the new Cabinet, Moawad said.

According to the agreement terms, only the president and the prime minister-designate may veto the appointment of ministerial candidates representing either the March 14 or March 8 coalitions, Moawad added.

“Enough with concessions that will eventually lead to further concessions as we carry on with negotiations,” Moawad said during an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio station.

While the March 14 alliance had previously opposed the formation of a government that includes Hezbollah representatives, the coalition has reconsidered its stance after Hezbollah relinquished its demand for veto power, Moawad said.

“Hezbollah has backed down on one of its preconditions with regards to the formation of a new government but is still attempting to abolish the principle of rotating portfolios.”

Another obstacle facing the government formation is Hezbollah’s insistence on having the right to veto the appointment of candidates named by the March 14 coalition, Moawad said.

“Why should Hezbollah have the right to characterize General Ashraf Rifi as a provocative figure whereas Gebran Bassil and Hussein al-Hajj Hassan aren’t considered in the same group?” Moawad asked.

“This is another attempt by Hezbollah to impose its will on the president and the prime minister by resorting to the threat of arms.”

Hezbollah’s possession of weapons and its refusal to recognize Lebanon as a sovereign state and entity is the major reason behind the March 14 alliance’s failure to reach an agreement with the party, Moawad said.

“Our disagreement with Hezbollah is about its perception of Lebanon rather than the allocation of ministerial portfolios. Hezbollah is taking Lebanon as hostage to leverage a regional agenda that conflicts with the interest of the Lebanese people.”

Moawad said Hezbollah’s actions have dealt a blow to the Lebanese state on both the domestic and international level.

“Hezbollah has extended its activities beyond Lebanese borders through its participation in the fighting alongside Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and its involvement in terrorist attacks across the globe.”

On the domestic level, Moawad accused Hezbollah of using its weapons to maintain an iron grip over the country’s political system and impose its terms when it comes to the government formation.

“Hezbollah’s attempt to intimidate the Lebanese is the reason of our opposition in principle to this government and our insistence on the formation of a neutral cabinet that prepares for the presidential election.”

Moawad warned against boycotting the presidential election and said it is the responsibility of both the March 8 and 14 coalitions to hold the poll irrespective of its outcome within the constitutional deadlines.

“We refuse vacuum in the presidential post which we regard as a red line.”

Moawad added that the role of Lebanon’s Christians is boosted only by promoting and upholding the values of freedom and moderation under the protection of a strong and sovereign state.

He added that Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun is entitled to seek better representation in the Cabinet but not at the expense of the March 14 coalition.

“A failed Lebanese state will see Christians emerge as losers even if they are awarded all ministries,” Moawad argued.

Democracy and freedom should be the cornerstone of a strong sovereign state where Christians and Muslims coexist as partners as declared in the National Charter announced by Bkikri, Moawad said.

“The failure to build a sovereign state that endorses a policy of neutrality and confines the possession of weapons to legitimate authorities would hinder the basis of the National Pact and deal a blow to coexistence.”

Bkirki’s National Charter leaves no room for the illegitimate weapons of Hezbollah, Moawad said, highlighting that the Charter couldn’t be interpreted differently.

“The National Charter doesn’t represent a political stance but rather a response to existential threats to the presence and role of Christians in Lebanon which cannot be salvaged by seeking more portfolios in the Cabinet,” Moawad said.

Moawad had expressed his full support for the Bkirki Charter during a phone call with Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai.

Moawad said he agreed with the patriarch over the need to step up efforts to fully implement the charter.