BEIRUT: Outgoing Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas seized the opportunity at a handover ceremony at the Labor Ministry Monday to take aim at Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, expressing bitterness over the way he was forced to resign.

Nahhas was replaced last week by retired judge Salim Jreissati after opting to resign rather than sign a controversial Cabinet decree approving the transportation allowance. He admitted differences with Aoun at the ceremony during which he handed over the Labor Ministry to Jreissati. Both Nahhas and Jreissati were nominated by Aoun, whose Parliamentary Change and Reform bloc is represented by 10 ministers in Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s 30-member Cabinet.

In a speech on the occasion, Jreissati also pledged to carry out change in the Labor Ministry within the country’s ruling sectarian political system.

Nahhas’ resignation and his replacement by Jreissati have led to the resumption of Cabinet sessions after a month-long hiatus following a dispute between Mikati and ministers from Aoun’s bloc over the transportation allowance decree and civil service appointments.

The Cabinet met Monday for the first time since Mikati suspended its sessions on Feb. 1 following the rift with Aoun’s ministers over the appointments of Christians to key posts in the public administration.

Before the handover ceremony, Nahhas briefed Jreissati on some of the ministry’s projects that have been accomplished and other projects that have yet to be carried out.

“Your Excellency, Mr. Salim Jreissati, the legal labor minister, I hand you today symbolically the Labor Ministry in the Lebanese Republic, while I walk out of an experiment of two years and three months in two successive governments. I hand you the torch after performing my duty in this respect, hoping that you will develop what I had tried to develop,” Nahhas said in a speech during the ceremony, attended by the ministry’s senior officials and advisers.

“I have begun this experiment and stayed in it, thanks to Michel Aoun’s support but I finished it in disagreement with him,” Nahhas said. He added that serving as the telecommunications minister in former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Cabinet and the labor minister in Mikati’s Cabinet did not change his convictions and principles.

“Rather, [the ministerial post] allowed me to sense the arrogance of the arrogant [people] and the weakness of the oppressed, which made me cling more to my convictions and principles and that one should not be neutral between the oppressor and the oppressed,” Nahhas said.

He said he had refused to sign the transportation allowance decree because it was “based on an unconstitutional Cabinet decision” and because it was proposed by the prime minister who is not the appropriate side to do so.

“The decree clearly and publicly violated the law and because it was unjust for all Lebanon’s workers, depriving them of LL3 trillion in end-of-service compensations,” Nahhas said.

Nahhas has been at the center of a political storm since last month, when he refused to sign a Cabinet decree officially approving a transportation allowance, arguing that it should be ratified by Parliament first. However, he did sign the decree containing the Cabinet’s decision to raise the minimum wage.

Aoun has also admitted differences with Nahhas. He told reporters last week that he had reached an agreement with Speaker Nabih Berri to legalize the transportation allowance decree, but Nahhas’ “circumstances might not allow him to cooperate with us.”

Aoun was reported Monday to have criticized Nahhas’ performance during meetings with his supporters. Al-Joumhouria newspaper quoted Aoun as telling FPM members: “We named him [a minister] after we removed the dust from him. No doubt, he is [an educated man], but he wanted to show off and take us wherever he wants instead of us taking him to where we want.”

Aoun was further quoted as saying: “Nahhas is like a plane which we downed because we did not want to fall with it. It crashed by itself and the passengers survived ... This man has stabbed us.”

In his speech, Nahhas warned Jreissati to be wary of what he called “rebellious employees and violators protected by politicians on sectarian pretexts.”

Responding, Jreissati praised Nahhas as “an extraordinary man of a national stature and intellectual and financial integrity” and promised to introduce change at the Labor Ministry. “I hope I will be able to carry out the projects he mentioned in his speech and during his private meeting with him,” he said.

“I know that there are many issues that need more social justice and that social security in Lebanon is not secured as it should.

“I know the problems of this ministry through my various reading not only from the fruitful closed meeting with him,” Jreissati said.

“I know that workers lack rights. I am aware of the competitive projects and in my country and the competition to the labor force.

“I promise you that demands for change and reform are not merely a slogan. I will seek to [carry out] change and reform within the current [political] setup,” he added.

Jreissati said he will work under one slogan: “Yes to stability, yes to calm but no to tranquility before the ambitions of this ministry have been attained.”

Link:
Nahhas bitter about being forced to resign

Chris Evans says the leadership fight will help strengthen the prime minister's authority in the public eye.

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the Senate.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another New South Wales ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister. However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

Visit link:
Payback as PM plans to cull Rudd's mates

Chris Evans says the leadership fight will help strengthen the prime minister's authority in the public eye.

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the Senate.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another New South Wales ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister. However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

Go here to read the rest:
Payback time as PM plans to cull Kevin Rudd's mates

Chris Evans says the leadership fight will help strengthen the prime minister's authority in the public eye.

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the Senate.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another New South Wales ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister. However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

View post:
Payback time as PM Julia Gillard culls Kevin Rudd's mates

Chris Evans says the leadership fight will help strengthen the prime minister's authority in the public eye.

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the Senate.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another New South Wales ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister. However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

Visit link:
Payback time as Julia Gillard plans to cull Kevin Rudd's mates

Chris Evans says the leadership fight will help strengthen the prime minister's authority in the public eye.

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the Senate.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another New South Wales ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister. However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

Read the original post:
Payback time as PM culls Rudd's mates

Chris Evans says the leadership fight will help strengthen the prime minister's authority in the public eye.

Key cabinet ministers are in the firing line after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill. Picture: Ray Strange Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for "payback" after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday's leadership spill.

Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the Senate.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to be spared.

The PM will now also be forced to find a replacement for another New South Wales ministerial vacancy created by the shock resignation of Mark Arbib.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

Stephen Smith or Simon Crean are considered the likely candidates to replace Mr Rudd as foreign minister. However, Mr Bowen was also named as a potential promotion into the job, not only on merit but as a gesture of unity.

"The next big challenge for us is how we challenge this reshuffle," a senior source close to the PM's office said.

"You would have to think Robert has to go. She wanted to do it last time but wasn't allowed.

"The problem is, can you have any confidence in the PM's office to manage considering the disaster of the last reshuffle."

Mr Rudd yesterday prevailed on caucus not to punish his supporters.

"My final request of the leader is no retribution against my supporters," he said. "They are good Labor people, every one of them."

Trade Minister Craig Emerson will act in Mr Rudd's role until a decision about the reshuffle - and could himself be in line to take the job permanently.

A spokesman for Mr Smith, who was foreign minister under Mr Rudd said: 'This is entirely a matter for the prime minister."

Ms Gillard will continue with a divided inner sanctum with some of Mr Rudd's backers, such as Martin Ferguson, set to stay on.

Leader of the house Anthony Albanese's office confirmed he would remain in the chief parliamentary head-kicking role after Ms Gillard had refused to accept his resignation.

"I would hope Julia Gillard would want to see me continue in the cabinet," Mr Bowen said.

"But that would entirely be a matter for the prime minister of the day and I will serve in any cabinet capacity for either of them."

Mr Ferguson is considered a valuable asset to the government and said: "I will always serve the Labor Party."

It was unclear what will happen to Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr who was demoted in last December's botched reshuffle.

By retaining Ms Gillard as leader, the party avoided an exodus of ministers with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and School Education Minister Peter Garrett declaring they would not serve as ministers if Mr Rudd was re-elected.

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan may also have refused to serve Mr Rudd.

David Bradbury and former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon have been named as MPs from the NSW Right who could replace Mr Arbib and Mr McClelland.

See more here:
IT'S KEVENGE TIME: Payback as PM plans to cull Rudd's mates

Former New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally has ruled herself out to replace Labor powerbroker Mark Arbib in the Senate.

Mr Arbib announced his shock resignation from Cabinet and Federal Parliament after yesterday's leadership spill.

This morning Labor's NSW state secretary Sam Dastyari said the process of seeking a replacement has already begun.

He said former ALP president Warren Mundine's name is in the mix, and a bid by Ms Keneally would also be welcome.

"At the moment, to be honest, we have a process to go through," Mr Dastyari said.

"I'd love to see Kristina and people of her quality being prepared to stand up and say they want to put their name forward for the Australian Senate.

"I think we're going to get half a dozen good names."

But Ms Keneally used Twitter to quickly quash any speculation.

"I've said many times that I'm not going federal. I'm not a candidate," she tweeted.

Mr Mundine will not say whether he has been approached, but admits there are plenty of internal discussions going on.

"There's a lot of media interest going on. At this stage I have no comments to make," Mr Mundine said.

"Yes, I acknowledge that there have been no Aboriginals in the Parliament, Federal Parliament, for the Labor Party, but I can see a period where that won't be too far off when that will happen."

Here is the original post:
Arbib replacement: Keneally rules out Senate tilt

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille resigned on Friday after just four months in office, plunging the country into political paralysis in the midst of rebuilding efforts two years after a devastating earthquake.

Conille submitted his resignation in a letter to President Michel Martelly, according to a statement by the president's office. There was no immediate word on a possible replacement, though Martelly announced he would address the nation on Friday evening.

Conille's decision to step down came amid political infighting between the two leaders over earthquake reconstruction contracts, as well as a parliamentary investigation into dual citizenship of government ministers, which is illegal under Haitian law.

Conille, a 45-year-old medical doctor and U.N. development expert, was popular with foreign aid donors and many members of the international community involved in Haiti's reconstruction efforts after a January 2010 earthquake shattered the country, killing more than 200,000 people.

He previously served as chief of staff of the U.N. Office of the Special Envoy to Haiti, led by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a statement calling for the "swift" appointment of a successor to ensure political stability, while expressing "regret" over Conille's departure.

Political tensions between Martelly and Conille recently erupted after Conille announced plans to audit $300 million in contracts awarded by his predecessor after the earthquake.

Conille and members of his Cabinet were also under pressure to cooperate with a parliamentary commission investigating the nationalities of members of the government.

Conille and some of his aides have held jobs and lived for extended periods outside Haiti.

Critics say Conille also alienated parliament and the president, including members of his own Cabinet, by some of his actions.

"It didn't work from Day One," said Alice Blanchet, a special adviser to five former prime ministers, including Conille's predecessor, Jean-Max Bellerive.

POLITICAL SHOWDOWN?

She described Conille's questioning of the earthquake reconstruction contracts as "petty and unpatriotic," noting that no irregularities had been identified by the international community. "That was offensive to parliament and to the president," she said.

The resignation could set the stage for another political showdown between Martelly, who took office in May 2011, and lawmakers in parliament, where he does not hold a majority.

Conille's appointment as prime minister in October only came after a five-month delay during which Martelly's first two nominees were rejected, impeding his ability to assemble a government to move ahead with reconstruction efforts.

"It's so frustrating. It reflects once again the willingness of political figures in Haiti to let policy differences reach the point of total polarization and stalemate," said Mark Schneider, vice president at the International Crisis Group, a Washington-based think tank that monitors Haiti closely.

"We are now embarked on another unknown journey of unknown length to try and find another prime minister," he added, noting how long it took Martelly last year to find a candidate acceptable to parliament.

"These things in Haiti are so destructive," he said. "For a country that is barely keeping it's head above water, this is like picking up another rock that pulls you further down to the bottom."

Two years after the quake, more than a half a million people are still living in tent camps in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and piles of concrete, steel and debris litter the streets.

During a recent visit to Haiti, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice publicly called on the country's political leaders to stop bickering.

"Haiti's executive and legislative branches," Rice said, "need to rise above their interests and work together in the spirit of compromise and overcome their common challenges."

Her words were echoed on Thursday by Mariano Fernandez, head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

Fernandez issued a statement expressing concern that "the political deadlock and institutional paralysis between the government, parliament and the president ... are not likely to create the necessary conditions for recovery of the economy and the consolidation of democracy."

(Additional reporting by David Adams in Miami; Writing by Kevin Gray; Editing by Todd Eastham and Stacey Joyce)

Read the original post:
Haiti's prime minister resigns after four months

By Freeman Klopott - Wed Feb 22 21:03:01 GMT 2012

New York (STONY1) Governor Andrew Cuomo said a construction team may be chosen in the next six months to build a $5.2 billion replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge and that he’s considering turning the old span over the Hudson River into a pedestrian greenway.

The pathway for pedestrians and cyclists would be similar to the Walkway Over the Hudson, a state park built on the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge that has drawn almost 500,000 visitors a year. Tearing down the bridge would cost $150 million, Cuomo said today at a Cabinet meeting in Albany.

In the last decade, New York has spent $88 million on studies and held more than 430 public meetings where it presented 150 proposals to replace the Tappan Zee, he said.

“Ten years worth of talking, and now in a matter of months so much progress has been made,” Cuomo, a 54-year-old Democrat, said. “This is a phenomenally rapid process.”

In December, the state applied for a $2 billion federal loan, and earlier this month it announced that four construction teams, including companies such as Fluor Corp. (FLR), Bechtel Group Inc., Skanska AB (SKAB) and Grupo Dragados SA (DRC), were in the running to win the project. President Barack Obama in October named building a new Tappan Zee as one of 14 U.S. projects to be sped through the federal oversight process.

Job Creation

Final proposals for the project, which would create more than 45,000 jobs, will be submitted in June and the winning group will be announced this summer, Cuomo said today. The state is using the so-called design-build process to speed the construction timeline, he said. Approved by lawmakers in December, the process puts private companies in charge of designing and building the project, rather than having the state develop the plan and then put it out for bid.

The three-mile-long (4.8-kilometer) Tappan Zee, which connects Rockland and Westchester counties as part of the New York State Thruway system, carries 138,000 vehicles a day, 40 percent more than its original design intended, according to the application for the $2 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan.

New York’s project is one of 26 seeking a total of $13 billion in Tifia loans, the U.S. Transportation Department said in a statement e-mailed Feb. 15. The program has about $1.1 billion available, and New York is asking that its $2 billion be spread out over several years.

Mass Transit

The Tappan Zee design plan will immediately allow for a rapid-bus transit line and light rail, Cuomo said. Those commuter systems haven’t been built yet, and doing so could cost about $5.2 billion for the buses and $5 billion for the rail, he said.

“We’re actually building a bridge that’s ahead of the existing system,” Cuomo said. “I think it’s a prudent investment because it’s a smart idea, and if we can’t afford it now, we can down the road.”

The state hired Jeffrey A. Parker & Associates in December to help develop the funding plans for the new bridge. The federal loan would be secured by revenue collected statewide by the Thruway Authority, which totaled $660 million in 2011, including $130 million from the Tappan Zee, the loan application said. Other options include selling bonds-backed by tolls, and pension funds or other private investment, Cuomo said today.

“The main funding stream will be tolls,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Freeman Klopott in Albany, New York, at fklopott@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: William Glasgall at wglasgall@bloomberg.net

See the original post here:
Cuomo Says Tappan Zee Replacement Plan Moving at ‘Phenomenally Rapid’ Pace