Murr Bows Out. Clearing the Way for Interior Minister Franjieh

Beirut, Updated 25 Oct 04, 18:28

Interior Minister Elias Murr has abruptly announced that he will decline to take up any cabinet post in the upcoming government of PM Omar Karami, dispelling widespread speculation that he would keep his post and paving the way for MP Suleiman Franjieh to replace him. The declaration has removed the most formidable obstacle standing between Premier-designate Omar Karami and the anticipated announcement of his cabinet, which will now take place on Tuesday. Murr, who is President Lahoud's son-in-law, made the announcement in a statement released around noon Monday, in which he thanked the Lebanese people for supporting him and took a thinly-veiled swipe at Franjieh. "I announce that I will decline to serve in the new cabinet after the issue of serving has become a struggle for positions and ministries." Franjieh, a most trusted Maronite ally of the Assad regime and a front-running contender for the Lebanese presidency once Lahoud's Syrian-sponsored extended term in office expires Nov. 24, 2007, has made it clear that his participation in any future government depends on receiving the ministry of the interior. "Mind you, I don't want Elias Murr's head,' said Franjieh, "I just want the interior ministry portfolio and that's final. No compromising." The Zghorta MP may also be set to receive other cabinet posts for his block in parliament, apparently as a prelude to grooming him for the 2007 presidency. Murr has held the post of interior minister for the past four years under outgoing Premier Rafik Hariri.