Call on Manipur government formation likely this week: Report
New Delhi: The Centre is expected to take a call this week on government formation in Manipur, which has been under President’s rule since February 13 this year.
Several key BJP leaders from Manipur, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, are currently in the national capital to press for government revival in the ethnic strife-torn state. MLAs H. Dingo, Robindro, S. Ranjan, former minister Govindas Konthoujam, and Hill Areas Committee chairman Dinganglung Gangmei are also in Delhi.
The state leaders are reportedly scheduled to meet with the BJP's central leadership on Monday. “The final decision after the meetings with central leaders, Union home minister, and finally the Prime Minister, would be taken in the next few days, which may take a week or longer,” The New Indian Express quoted a senior BJP leader as saying.
Meanwhile, another party insider reportedly mentioned that there are no significant legal barriers to forming a new government, as the state assembly has not been dissolved and remains in a state of suspended animation.
This development comes seven months after the imposition of President’s rule following the resignation of Biren Singh on February 9.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
