Hariri: A 30 minister government

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri sponsored yesterday (Tuesday) the Iftar organized by the Union of Beirut Families Associations in Phoenicia Hotel, in the presence of caretaker Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian and family members.

Hariri delivered a speech on the occasion, in which he said:

"I would like to thank the Union of Beirut Families Associations, its President Mohamed Afif Yamout and its administrative body for everything they are doing nationally, politically and socially for our people and our society in Beirut and all of Lebanon.

"There is no doubt that one of the most difficult tasks the Prime Minister-designate may face is to speak during the stage of forming the government because everything he says is subject to interpretation and considered the result of the formation negotiations. Everything I say will be considered a message to this or that political party.

"I thank the Union of Beirut Families Associations for always standing with Martyr Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and with me personally in all the difficult stages. Over the past 13 years, we have gone through stages in which one doubted where the country and the Future movement were heading.

"However, the Union always has stood with me and with the Future movement without hesitation. We always consulted and thank God, a year and a half after the compromise, everyone sees where the country arrived.

"I am optimistic that all political parties are cooperating to form this government. If we want to please each party regarding the number of ministers it wants, we would form a government of 50 ministers. However, the government that we will form hopefully will be of 30 ministers, this is the maximum that I can announce, and cooperation is ongoing with all parties to accomplish this task.

"I am very happy to be with you. As my father used to say: You are the real party of Rafic Hariri and the Future movement, and you represent Beirut in all its spectrum. He was always keen to have a special relationship with you, and hopefully I will continue on this path.

"I thank everyone for the work they do, and thank you for the parliamentary elections. The battle was harsh against us, but thank God we made our presence felt. Today, we have to work more vigorously. I promised you to work more, faster and with more openness. You will see that the doors of the Center House will be open to everyone.

"I wish everyone a blessed month, and hopefully we continue this march together, with the Mufti. We always follow his directives regarding moderation and openness. I also thank the Minister of the Interior, Nohad Mashnouk, who always stood with me, and we will continue this march. I thank each one of you."