Qifa Nabki
Free Patriotic Movement
Charbel Nahas: The FPM’s Secret Weapon?
For a period of a couple months, the cabinet formation was help up by a dispute about the appointment of Gebran Bassil — Michel Aoun’s son-in-law — as Telecommunications Minister. Aoun wanted him re-appointed; Saad Hariri did not. Eventually, a compromise was reached: the FPM was allowed to keep the Telecommunications Ministry as long as … Continue reading
Who Won?
I wasn’t really planning to write a post on this subject, but since people like winners and losers, maybe it’s worth saying something. One commenter writes: I’d be interested to read your analysis on who you think “won” from this cabinet haggling/negotiation. Do you think by holding out so long and getting more or less … Continue reading
The New Cabinet: Observations & Projections
The dust still hasn’t settled on the new cabinet — partly because some ministers are actively trying to kick it up — but it’s worth remarking briefly on some of its features, and on the challenges facing PM Hariri over the next week or so. 1) The Kata’eb Defection: As we’ve all heard by now, … Continue reading
Lebanon’s Cabinet Lineup
** See below for continuing updates ** At approximately 8PM Beirut time, President Michel Suleiman signed the following decrees, dissolving the current cabinet and appointing the new one. Decree #2837: The cabinet led by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is now resigned. Decree #2838: Saad al-Hariri is hereby appointed Prime Minister. Decree #2839: Pursuant to the … Continue reading
Almost Half a Year Later, Lebanon Finally Has a Cabinet
Well, it took five months (almost to the day) but Lebanon seems to have finally turned the page on the historic parliamentary elections held on June 7, 2009. Not to jinx things, but the media is rife with reports that efforts to form a national unity government have succeeded, with the majority March 14 Forces … Continue reading
Qifa Nabki 
And the people say…