During the ongoing stages of forming the future government, there were information about the possible participation of former Vice Prime Minister Issam Fares, as a minister or even as Vice Prime Minister. There were various stories and rumors about Fares’ refusal or acceptance. However, Fares did not give his answer yet pending the post he will be granted and the role he will play in any expected government.
Source confirmed to our website that Fares’ participation will give great credibility to the government due to his own credibility and the role he played in the past and is still playing, even though he’s been outside the country for a while. He never stopped working for its best interest through his wide network of international relations. He has an array of foundations and organisms working for this aim and run by his team in Lebanon. We should not forget his financial and social support in Akkar and all the Lebanese regions without any discrimination.
Other sources suggested that Fares will not hesitate to accept what is asked from him if needed, by introducing changes to the governmental pattern. Some see Fares as a “super minister” and not a regular one. His moral presence in the cabinet is essential, granting it more credibility, efficiency and seriousness. Hence, it is necessary to give Fares an important ministerial post that takes into account his influence and position. The same source goes further emphasizing that Fares is capable of making changes, therefore he will be more efficient if granted a ministry with a bigger national dimension like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or if this post is coupled with a bloc of one minister or two, in order to support Fares and provide him with a complete and complementary work team. Even if this group is small, it will be able to support Fares due to the big role he’s expected to play if he joins the government.
Issam Fares was not allowed during the “hegemony regime” to form his own list for the parliamentary elections. Today, he will be able to make the change through a ministerial group that will empower the whole cabinet. In fact, this is what he deserves due to his weight on the regional and international level as well as his influence on the local and national level. He has the power of introducing many changes because of his stature and weight. It is worth mentioning that Fares wouldn’t have accepted if this cabinet was not headed by someone like Prime Minister Mikati known for his neutrality on the regional and international level.
The same sources mentioned that in a government worthy of Issam Fares, ministers should be prominent and compatible. Fares’ bloc should include an additional minister or more. Then the echo of his words will resound with power and his voice will be heard. Prime Minister Mikati and Minister Al Safadi need someone like Issam Fares to alleviate religious fanaticism in the North. Fares is the only Christian leader present socially through his services in Akkar and Dinniyeh. Money spending in the North requires the cover of a person with a long term influence in the social arena. Diversity starts with balance in Akkar.
A source close to Fares asserted that if the latter is sure of his ability to make a qualitative leap in the governmental work, he will assume the national role required from him. He will not merely be another member of the government. Since Prime Minister Mikati is also from the North, Vice Prime Minister Fares will have a complementary role, whether from inside or outside the cabinet, similar to the role he palyed during his participation for four years in the governments headed by Rafik Hariri.