Losing side should be in next Lebanon govt-Jumblatt
BEIRUT, June 7 (Reuters) - A Lebanese alliance including Hezbollah should take part in a new government, leading politician Walid Jumblatt said on Sunday, after his rival coalition defeated the Shi'ite group and its allies in a parliamentary election.
The Druze leader, a leading figure in the anti-Syrian "March 14" alliance, told Reuters he did not support the idea of veto power in the new cabinet for the rival coalition, which politicians on both sides told Reuters had lost the election.
Hezbollah, the most powerful faction in Lebanon, has repeatedly called for the formation of a "national unity government" that would give the minority alliance in the 128-seat parliament effective veto power.
"I said no to the blocking minority," Jumblatt said.
Asked whether he supported the participation of the opposition alliance in government, he said: "Yes, but I cannot decide on my own. I am part of a coalition and it should be a unanimous decision." The March 14 alliance is led by Sunni politician Saad al-Hariri. (Reporting by Tom Perry; Editing by Matthew Jones)
The Druze leader, a leading figure in the anti-Syrian "March 14" alliance, told Reuters he did not support the idea of veto power in the new cabinet for the rival coalition, which politicians on both sides told Reuters had lost the election.
Hezbollah, the most powerful faction in Lebanon, has repeatedly called for the formation of a "national unity government" that would give the minority alliance in the 128-seat parliament effective veto power.
"I said no to the blocking minority," Jumblatt said.
Asked whether he supported the participation of the opposition alliance in government, he said: "Yes, but I cannot decide on my own. I am part of a coalition and it should be a unanimous decision." The March 14 alliance is led by Sunni politician Saad al-Hariri. (Reporting by Tom Perry; Editing by Matthew Jones)
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