The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc held its weekly meeting in Rabieh after which General Michel Aoun gave a speech explaining the bloc's positions regarding all the political, financial and security-related events. General Aoun indirectly criticized Wednesday foreign meddling in Lebanese affairs by pointing to a flurry of diplomatic activity that has been accompanying the government formation process. "We were unable to identify who was forming the government

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Speaking on behalf of the Free & Unified Lebanon - Zgharta bloc, MP Sleiman Frangieh said: "We call for a factual partnership with the guaranteeing third for the opposition." The Marada Movement leader asked Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to form a cabinet "in which the opposition would be an effective partner with the guaranteeing third vote." He asked that the opposition blocs be represented in the cabinet by their actual size in parliament

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El Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh stressed that what bonds him with his allies in the Marada bloc is the truth and the unified commitment in politics, declaring that "our honesty is our wealth while conspiring is the trademark of others." Frangieh called for the organization of ranks and to accommodate even those who voted against the Resolve of Zgharta-Zawyi election list. Frangieh's remarks came during the El Marada dinner hosted in Ehden in honour of the Marada electoral team of Zgharta-Zawyi. In attendance were in addition to the Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh, MPs Estephane Douaihy, Salim Karam and Emil Rahme, former MPs Fayez Ghosn and Karim Rassi, Rafli Diab, members of the Marada Political Bureau and members of the electoral team.

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In an interview with LBC television, El Marada bloc MP Salim Karam said "The lower number of votes that Farid Makari and the rest of parliament bureau's office got was the result of the opposition's counter reaction to March 14's non-commitment to vote for Speaker Nabih Berri." Karam held Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri responsible for failing to have all of his bloc's MPs vote in favour of Berri as his understanding with him stated. With regard to the likely nomination for the prime ministership, Karam indicated that the chances of Saad Hariri becoming prime minister would rise enormously if an agreement is reached between the Saudis and the Syrians.

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El Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh received at Zgharta-Bnachii Saudi Arabian ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Awad Assiri and discussed with him recent developments following the elections. The meeting is the first in four years between Frangieh and a senior Saudi official.

 

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