CNA: Jumblatt playing a central role in government formation

Political sources told Central News Agency that MP Walid Jumblatt is playing a central role in the government formation through meetings with major figures away from the media spotlight and contacts conducted by caretaker minister Ghazi Aridi. (more…)

Aridi: Only Jumblatt, Assad will decide timing, details of Syria’s visit

Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transportation MP Ghazi Aridi said that some are trying to take advantage of the visit of the the Democratic Gathering chief MP Walid Jumblatt, to Syria and stressed that the decision over the visit and timing will be only decided by Jumblatt and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Aridi denied the rumors about his visit to Damascus a few days ago and said in an interview with “LBC” that “nothing prevents this visit, and I will go when Jumblatt goes “. He noted that today, everyone is talking about reconciliation with Syria but when Jumblatt called for it he was criticized.

U.S. Ambassador meets with ministers of public works and energy

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele J. Sison met Thursday with Minister of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil and Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ghazi Aridi.

At the Ministry of Energy and Water, Ambassador Sison and Minister Bassil discussed the details of the pending Memoranda of Understanding between the U.S. government and the Ministry for two new water projects funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) totaling $28 million. USAID’s Lebanon Water and Wastewater Sector Support program will assist all four Lebanese water authorities maintain financial and operational sustainability and USAID’s Litani River Basin Management Support program will provide technical support to the Litani River Authority.
At the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, Ambassador Sison and Minister Aridi discussed the ministry’s public works project priorities for the coming year.
Ambassador Sison conveyed to both ministers the United States government’s desire for continued cooperation with the Lebanese government on important economic growth, development and reform priorities. Source: US embassy

Minister Aridi denied having any heated argument with Lebanon PM

Lebanon’s Minster of Public Works Ghazi Aridi denied having any heated argument yesterday during the cabinet meeting with PM Saad Hariri .
” With all my respect to the Lebanese media no argument took place yesterday between me and the PM” he Aridi said today Tuesday during a tour in Jubeil with the Change and Reform MPs
Aridi added that he and Hariri “discussed the issue of renewal of contract for an airport contractor and we had a difference of opinion on whether this issue should be handled by our ministry or the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). My personal viewpoint was this should be handled by our ministry for many reasons . Our discussions were serious and we never had any arguments”. Aridi added : The PM is my brother and friend and I have a lot of respect for him and his family and specially the martyr PM Rafik Hariri “.

Bickering took place at last cabinet meeting

Lebanese media on Tuesday said bickering took place at the cabinet meeting yesterday:

First between PM Saad Hariri and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi over the powers of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and the extension given to a contractor charged with projects at Rafik Hariri International Airport. Aridi reportedly presented documents that proved CDR neglect, demanding the Council’s hands off .Hariri, according to Al-Akhbar daily, rejected Aridi’s criticism or clipping CDR powers.”I will not accept to relinquish the powers of the Council,” al-Akhbar quoted Hariri as telling ministers.The argument, ended with an extension of the contract with MEAS, provider of operational and maintenance services for facilities and systems of Beirut airport.

The second bickering , according to Al-Akhbar, took place between Energy Minister Jebran Bassil and Telecommunications Minister Sharbel Nahhas over giving Finance Minister Raya al-Hasan power to extend a loan deal with the French government since it was not approved by Parliament and was not even discussed by Cabinet. Hariri argued that this agreement “being a donation” does not need Parliament approval.The ministers responded by saying that the French grants are loans with an annual interest rate of 5 percent.

An-Nahar newspaper has also reported that Minister Mohammed Fneish raised the issue of privatization “We cannot accept privatization of the two telecommunications companies nor selling them,” he said.

Aridi: Hezbollah left deep wounds in May 2008

New TV: Minister of Public Works and Transport Ghazi Aridi said: “The current government is unique, and we tried to reach a consensus on the Ministerial Statement and achieved the best possible.”
He noted that the Lebanese has the right to “resistance” as long as there is an occupied territory, pointing out that when people talk about the army they have to realize that there is a decision to prevent the this army from being armed.”
Aridi stressed that “national unity is the only guarantor of the success of the resistance,” and pointed out that the events of May 2008 left a deep wound for which the resistance paid a steep price.