On 9 November 2009, after five months of negotiations following the 2009 parliamentary elections, Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri formed a national unity government.
Method
Fifteen ministers were selected by Hariri's March 14 Alliance, ten from the opposition March 8 Alliance, and five allotted to President Michel Suleiman. This formula denied March 14 a majority of cabinet posts, while also preventing the opposition from wielding veto power, which requires 11 posts. Thus, at least in theory, the ministers selected by President Suleiman—considered impartial—hold a swing vote on decision making.
Composition Lebanese government of November 2009PortfolioMinisterPolitical affiliationReligious SectPresident Michel Sleiman's Share (5/30)Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Elias Murr Independent Greek OrthodoxMinister of Interior Ziad Baroud Independent Maronite State Minister Mona Ofeich Independent Greek OrthodoxState Minister Adnan Hussein Independent ShiaState MinisterAdnan Kassar Independent SunniMarch 14 Alliance (15/30)Prime MinisterSaad Hariri Future Movement SunniFinance MinisterRaya Al-Hassan Future Movement SunniEducation MinisterHassan Mneimneh Future Movement SunniEnvironment MinisterMohammad Rahhal Future Movement SunniMinister of Information Tarek Mitri Future Movement Greek OrthodoxMinister of State Michel Pharaon Future Movement Greek CatholicMinister of StateJean Ogassapian Future Movement Armenian CatholicMinister of Public WorksGhazi Aridi Druze Minister of DisplacedAkram Chehayeb Druze State Minister Wael Abou Faour Druze Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar Lebanese Forces Greek OrthodoxMinister of Culture Salim Warde Lebanese Forces Greek CatholicMinister of Social Affairs Salim Sayegh Kataeb Party MaroniteMinister of Economy and Trade Mohammad Safadi Tripoli Bloc SunniMinister of Labor Boutros Harb Independent MaroniteMarch 8 Alliance (10/30)Minister of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil Free Patriotic Movement MaroniteMinister of Tourism Fadi Abboud Free Patriotic Movement MaroniteMinister of Telecommunications Charbel Nahas Free Patriotic Movement Greek CatholicMinister of Foreign Affairs Ali Shami Amal Movement ShiaMinister of Public Health Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh Amal Movement ShiaMinister of Youth and Sports Ali Abdullah Amal Movement ShiaMinister of Agriculture Hussein Hajj Hassan Hezbollah ShiaState Minister for Administrative Development Muhammad Fneish Hezbollah ShiaMinister of Industry Abraham Dedeyan Tashnag Armenian OrthodoxState Minister Youssef Saadeh Marada Movement MaroniteSource:
Vote of confidence The cabinet and government program were voted for confidence on 10 December 2009. Confidence votes by 122 out of 128 MPs were given in favor of Hariri's cabinet and its program.
PSP withdrawal On 2 August 2009, Walid Jumblatt withdrew his PSP from the governing March 14 alliance. The Future Movement said that though everyone had the right to adopt their independent agendas the March 14 coalition never rejected other parties. Mountain Unity bloc MP Fadi al-Aawar told the told FPM's Orange TV that Jumblat's withdrawal would not automatically mean his admission to the March 8 alliance. He also suggested that the alliance with March 14 was "out of necessity" and then had to end to pave the way for a new period. Jumblatt also told US charge d’affaires Michele Sison that both the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was not strong enough to intimidate Syria and that "during that stage [of support for March 14], I was in a [state of] alienation which led me to use rhetoric that does not match [my] national heritage. I have now [restored] my real, natural and historical position." It was suggested that, as a result of statement during the weeks and months prior to his withdrawal, he had made the decision to withdraw based on growing dissent.
2011 fall of government On 12 January 2011, the government collapsed after energy minister Gebran Bassil announced that all ten opposition ministers had resigned following months of warnings by Hezbollah that it would not remain inactive should there be indictments against the group. The New York Times suggested the resignations came after the collapse of talks between Syria and Saudi Arabia to ease tensions in Lebanon. It also suggested that the opposition wanted 11 resignations before Hariri's meeting with US President Barack Obama so as to embarrass Hariri for not having a government. However, Suleiman-appointee, Minister of State Adnan Sayyed Hussein, resigned later. The resignations stemmed from PM Hariri's refusal to call an emergency cabinet session over discussion for withdrawing cooperation with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was expected to indict Hezbollah members in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Following the fall of the government reports of an "imminent release" of the indictments circulated, though constitutionally there would be no government to receive the indictment as this was first time in Lebanese history a government had fallen after the resignations of a third of the government.Al-ManarTV:: The Fate of The Indictment Under a Caretaker Government 13 January 2011 Preliminary indictments were issued 17 January as expected,Hariri indictments set for Monday – Middle East – Al Jazeera) though they were pending STL approval.US welcomes Hariri indictment – Al Jazeera
The government lasted barely 14-months and was considered dysfunctional; its collapse precipitated a climate of political deadlock and tension similar to that which existed between 2006 and 2008.
President Michel Suleiman is constitutionally responsible for the formation of a new government, though the prospects for reconciliation between the two polarised parliamentary blocs remains dim in the near-term. He accepted the resignations saying: "In line with clause one of article 69 in the Lebanese constitution on the circumstances under which the government is considered to have resigned...as the government has lost more than one third of its members...the cabinet [is requested to] act as a caretaker government until the formation of a new government.""http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=169956&language=en Suleiman asked Hariri to maintain a caretaker role while charging him with forming a new government following an emergency return from a summit in the United States and a stopover in France and Turkey. He said that "There is no alternative for all of us but dialogue, and no side in Lebanon will be able to eliminate the other," further adding that he would work with his allies to form a government in line with "national unity" objectives.Al-ManarTV: Hariri Vows to Find Way Out of Lebanon Crisis 14 January 2011
Reactions
Domestic politics Hariri vowed to find a way out of the crisis saying his allies and he would take part in "consultations" to a name a new leader.
Nabih Berri, the Lebanese parliamentary speaker and a member of the March 8 alliance, said Suleiman would formally launch talks to create a new government on 16 January. However, March 8 said it would no longer be involved in an Hariri government. Mohammad Raad, an Hezbollah MP, said his party would nominate a candidate for prime minister who has "a history of resistance."Al-ManarTV:: Hariri Returns to Beirut; Opposition Says Will Not Re-Appoint Him 14/01/2011 Though, March 14 said it would not accept anyone other than Hariri. One of his bloc's MP's, Boutros Harb, said "I do not see a government in the country without Saad Hariri." and despite March 14 saying it was willing to compropose that "there’s no way to compromise on the issue of the court and justice." March 8's Health Minister Mohamad Jawad Khalifeh said: "We don’t want any escalation. We are committed to the Constitution. We don’t know what commitment the others are talking about."
Walid Jumblatt, the former March 14 member and head of the PSP, traveled to Syria to discuss the crisis with al-Assad amid possibilities that he could be a kingmaker in forming a new government. His Democratic Gathering bloc was scheduled to meet on 16 January to discuss its stance over the parliamentary consultations.Democratic Gathering bloc to meet Sunday at Jumblatt’s residence|Ya Libnan|World News Live from Lebanon
During Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's first speech after the fall of the government, broadcast on Al Manar,Hezbollah leader speaks on crisis – Al Jazeera he said that "the opposition unanimously will not name Hariri tomorrow [and that the move to bring down the government was] constitutional, legal and democratic. Despite the fact we reject the indictment simply for being politicised, Lebanon is our homeland and we are keen on its safety and stability."Hezbollah 'will not back Hariri' - Al Jazeera
Supranational The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, said that only a unity government can prevent another civil war. He said doors of dialogue must be left open to form a "national accord" that would be in Lebanon's "supreme interest".
Eric Mottu of the International Monetary Fund said instability could be detrimental to the economy of Lebanon and that the withdrawals from the government "will further erode confidence and may heighten the risk of a further slowdown. "For growth, investment, consumption and tourism it could be a risk."
International - Iran blamed the United States and Israel for "sabotage and obstruction" that led to the fall of the government.Al-ManarTV: Iran: US, Israel Responsible for S-S Settlement's Failure 13 January 2011 - Israel reacted with alarm at the fall of the government.Martin Chulov, Lebanon reels as Hezbollah topples government, The Guardian (12 January 2011). Analysts suggested that if Hezbollah took control of Lebanon, an Israeli-Lebanese war would follow (see Israeli–Lebanese conflict).Lebanon falls into political turmoil as government collapses, Deutsche Welle (13 January 2011). Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom described the new Lebanese government as an "Iranian government on Israel's northern border."Emile Hokayem, Iran and Hezbollah: The Balance of Power Shifts in Lebanon, PBS Frontline (27 January 2011). - Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, said: "The resignations will be dangerous, as they will cause clashes once again. Thus, we hope these resignations will not take place. They have the potential to cause everything built so far to collapse." He also warned of possible regional repercussions. - As Hariri returned to Lebanon he met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who pledged to play "an active role" in ending the political crisis. "We cannot tolerate Lebanon becoming mired in political instability. All parties to the Lebanon crisis must act responsibly and must above all take into account Lebanon's interest." He also said that Turkey would work with Iran and Syria to resolve problems.Al-ManarTV:: Turkish PM Pledges to Play Active Role to End Crisis in Lebanon 14 January 2011 - Foreign Secretary William Hague said the withdrawals were "extremely serious" and could have "grave implications" across the Middle East. He also said the UK "strongly condemns" alleged attempts to undermine the STL "which must be allowed to do its work without any obstacle. Justice must take its course and there should be an end to impunity for political assassinations in Lebanon."