Aoun Plays Hardball, Dashes Hopes Of Quick Government Formation

In the end, the Rabieh General showed that he’s not pushover. He insisted on what he called “inalienable rights” to his team, the “representatives of Christians in the government”. He was adamant about rejecting Minister Ziad Baroud as Minister of interior (“but he can take another ministry”), and he made it a point that he’s in no hurry (take that Nabih Berri).

He knows that he has a strong negotiating position and that he can get what he wants if he insists. Messrs. Jumblat, Berri and Mikati can talk all they want about the importance of forming a government soon, but after being done pulling their hair (Mr. Mikati is excused), they will be forced to eventually kiss his ring.