BEIRUT: Lebanon's Druze leader Walid Jumblatt slammed political rival Michel Aoun yesterday, accusing the Free Patriotic leader of continuing Syria's security regime in Lebanon.

In a statement issued yesterday, Jumblatt said Aoun, along with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, had "replaced" former head of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon Rustom Ghazaleh and his Anjar rule.

Aoun has called for the new Cabinet to fully investigate goverment departments for corruption during the last 15 years and called for the opening up of ministerial files from the period.

But Jumblatt, who served in a number of governments since the end of the Civil War in 1990, said: "The talk we are hearing nowadays about opening files reminds us of Ghazaleh and the orders that used to come at the time to Lahoud and former Justice Minister Adnan Addoum to open or close a legal file."

In a barely concealed swipe at Aoun's decision not to join the goverment after his failed attempt to secure the Justice portfolio in Cabinet, Jumblatt added: "I would suggest the entire Cabinet ministries be offered to Aoun in order to see what he would do. Let us put an end to extortion."

When asked to comment on Jumblatt's criticism, Aoun said: "His gift is returned to him with thanks."

In another swipe at Aoun, Jumblatt also insisted the FPM parliamentary bloc should not be viewed as the sole representative of Christians in Lebanon at the expense of other Christian factions including his political allies, the Christian opposition Qornet Shehwan Gathering and the Lebanese Forces.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Fouad Siniora looks set to delay further the announcement of his Cabinet following fresh squabbles over the allocation of ministerial posts.

It has emerged that Lebanon's two Shiite factions, Hizbullah and Amal who control 35 seats between them, are demanding that the post of foreign minister be given to a Shiite.

The portfolio is currently held by Mahmoud Hammoud, a pro-Syrian Shiite politician.

Siniora is understood to have rejected a demand by Lebanon's Parliament Speaker, and Amal leader, Nabih Berri for the post to be given to either a Hizbullah or Amal member.

Siniora is understood to prefer giving the Foreign Ministry post to a Christian politician.

The post has been held by a Shiite in recent years and Siniora is thought to be keen to ensure it does not become monopolized by one sect in case it sets a precedent.

The Foreign Ministry is seen crucial since it is expected to play an important role in shaping ties with Damascus following the withdrawal of Syria's troops last April which finally ended their 29-year military presence in Lebanon.

Its importance for the Shiite sect also stems from the role it's supposed to play in countering international attempts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of Hizbullah.

Aside from the Hizbullah Amal issue, it is understood that Lahoud is still insisting that the Defense Ministry be given to his son-in-law, Elias Murr.

So far Siniora has refused to bow to Lahoud's demand, a stance that may well delay the formation for some time if a resolution is not agreed soon.

Under the Lebanese Constitution, both the president and prime minister must agree the formation of the new Cabinet. If no agreement is reached on the new Cabinet the government cannot strictly speaking begin its term of office.

Once the Cabinet is formed the government has much greater autonomy in its dealings with the president, so long as it retains two thirds of Cabinet support for all its legislation. - Additional reporting by Maher Zeineddine - (Daily Star)