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It’s Taking Forever For March 14 To “Officially” Join The Opposition

February 26, 2011 · Mustapha Hamoui

Fares Soueid:

The expanded meeting of March 14 at the [Beirut] Bristol Hotel aims to officially announce that the coalition will become the opposition and will not take part in a cabinet headed by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati

But wasn’t that what they did in BIEL ? Well, yes and no. You know how in negotiations the “last price” is never really the last price? We’re getting something similar now with the prospect of March 14 joining Mikati’s government.

But why is Mr. Mikati playing along? The answer is simple: There’s tremendous international pressure (I would even say they include hidden financial threats) on the P.M. designate and he’s desperate to give his government the semblance of moderation and inclusiveness. The other guys are pissed, but Mr. Mikati is in a position where he’ll pick up any bone you throw at him..