Cabinet Convenes Wednesday; False Witnesses on Agenda

08/11/2010

Would the cabinet finally have the “courage” to take a stance over the false witnesses issue this week? Or would it, rather, “postpone” the decision again, in the last minute?

For the moment, one thing can be confirmed: a session is scheduled for the cabinet on Wednesday with the false witnesses issue at the top of the agenda.

According to Lebanon’s official news agency (NNA), the cabinet will convene at the Baabda Presidential Palace under President Michel Sleiman at 5:00 pm (Beirut time) Wednesday, November 10.

Earlier, Lebanese daily An-Nahar said difficulties facing efforts to hold a meeting without a government split reflected the real problem the national unity government was facing. It quoted a source from Sleiman's ministerial bloc as saying there were no new developments regarding the false witnesses' issue. "Everyone is still waiting for the outcome of consultations and contacts between the concerned sides," the source said.

Well-informed political sources had said that both Damascus and Riyadh have intensified consultations last week in a bid to reach an understanding on the possible exists to the crisis. They pointed to the recent visit by the adviser to the Saudi King, Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, to Damascus during which he discussed "written ideas for an exit."

The ministerial source stressed that holding a cabinet meeting for vote on the false witnesses is "out of the question because that would paralyze the Government."

But the opposition is insisting the file must see its end this week as delaying it was a crime in itself, represented by protecting false witnesses.

Meanwhile, the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt held a meeting with President Michel Sleiman at the Baabda Presidential Palace where he told reporters he was “worried.”

Jumblatt, who expressed belief that voting on the false witnesses' issue should be a last resort, renewed commitment to dialogue. “Issues must be dealt with through dialogue. Voting on the false witnesses' issue should be a last resort.”

The Progressive Socialist Party leader said the Special Tribunal for Lebanon can only be abolished through a decision by the UN Security Council.

Jumblatt had said in remarks published earlier by the daily As-Safir that boycotting dialogue or the president was "not permissible."

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