Tuesday 10 November 2009

Hariri's First Cabinet Convenes in Absence of Phalange Minister


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Hussein Assi

10/11/2009 The Lebanese cabinet convened at the Baabda Presidential Palace for the first time since 135 days…

After 135 days in which the Lebanese were deprived of an "original" government because of their "inability" to form a "partnership" cabinet, the Lebanese were finally able to witness a "cabinet session" declaring the re-launch of "ministerial work" following a long "rupture."

Yet, and because nothing is "perfect" in a country like Lebanon, conflicts over the Phalange representation in the cabinet caused the "absence" of the Phalange Minister Salim al-Sayegh, whose candidature in the cabinet seemed to be "suspended" awaiting the Phalange leadership's final decision expected to be announced in the upcoming twenty-four hours.

During the meeting, a committee charged with drafting the policy statement was formed. It comprises Ministers Boutros Harb (March 14 Christians), Tarek Mitri (Future Movement), Mohamad Fneish (Hezbollah), Jean Augassabian (March 14 Armenians), Wael Bou Faour (Democratic Gathering), Ziad Baroud (President's share), Gebran Bassil (Free Patriotic Movement), Ali Chami (AMAL movement), Charbel Nahhas (Free Patriotic Movement), Salim Sayegh (Phalange party), Rayya Haffar (Future movement) and Youssef Saade (Marada movement).

"The government of consensus is not a rule and does not consist a factor to establish constitutional mores," Prime Minister Saad Hariri was quoted by Information Minister Tarek Mitri as saying during the session. "This government was formed to work not for the installation of political barricades inside it," Hariri reportedly added.

Speaking to reporters at the Baabda Palace following the session, the Information Minister also quoted President Michel Sleiman as telling the various ministers that solidarity and cooperation were two essential factors for success in cabinet work.

According to Mitri, President Sleiman urged the formed policy statement committee to rush up in putting the government Policy Statement based on the former government policy statement, president's oath address, and Hariri's speech.

Ahead of the session, the protocol picture marking the initiation of Hariri's first-ever government was taken at the doorsteps of Baabda Palace in the absence of Phalange Party's minister Salim al-Sayegh and the attendance of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. A closed meeting gathered Sleiman, Berri, and Hariri prior to the photo-taking session.

Before heading to Baabda, Hariri visited the Phalange Party headquarters to meet with its leader Amin Gemayel in an attempt to appease the party and its leadership after it expressed frustration over Hariri's move that gave the Phalange the social affairs portfolio rather than the education ministry. MP Sami Gemayel and Minister Salim al-Sayegh joined the Hariri-Gemayel meeting, however, the meeting ended and neither side made a statement to the press.

The politburo of Phalange Party held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Phalange Party official Sejaan Qazzi said that they were neither after a portfolio nor a seat. He said that all options were open.

Next step: "Defining HEZBOLLAH 'RESISTANCE'"


In the CSM, here

"... after a Western-backed coalition narrowly beat the Hezbollah-led opposition in in Lebanon's June elections, the two sides reached a deal Monday night....."The cabinet will either allow the Lebanese to renew trust in their institutions, or it will lead them to repeat their past failures to achieve consensus," Hariri said (read the later!)......

The next stage is the drawing up of a government policy statement. The key element of the statement will be the status of the "resistance" ...The previous national unity government granted legitimacy to the "resistance" to seek the liberation of remaining Lebanese territory under Israeli occupation.

"The drafting of the ministerial statement will not be a problem at all, on the grounds that in parallel to Lebanon's commitment to Resolution 1701 it is the right of the people, Army, and the resistance to restore land by all means available," Suleiman was quoted as saying in Lebanese newspapers Tuesday, echoing the phrase contained in the previous government's policy statement....

... says Ousama Safa, director of the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies. "We should experience a modicum of stability for a while, but do not expect any earth-shattering changes from the government."
Posted by G, Z, or B at 10:03 AM

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