Sharp Political Differences Threaten Fate of Cabinet Sessions

Lebanon's protracted political crises over sharp division between the March 8 and 14 alliances have widely effected the work of the parliament and the cabinet amid an ongoing presidential vacuum.

The differences that pitted the two rival coalitions into a political confrontation is reportedly threatening the fate of cabinet sessions despite a fragile agreement over the mechanism regulating its work during the presidential vacuum.

“If the crisis goes on then the cabinet will not be able to endorse the vital requirements that the country needs,” Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq said in comment published in Kuwait's As-Siyasah newspaper on Sunday.

He warned that Prime Minister Tammam Salam “will not call for a new government session as long as there are obstacles.”

Sources told the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat that the premier is angered by the attitude of the rival ministers at cabinet sessions.

However, the sources denied reports saying that Salam intends to resign.

The PM's visitors quoted him as saying in comments published in the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that “things are getting more difficult.”

He expressed concern that the political crises in the country might impact the security situation.

“Why would I call for a new session?” Salam wondered.

The premier said that “no contacts have been held yet to resolve the matter.”

The cabinet members reached an agreement on Thursday on the full-time employment of LU's contract workers but failed to strike a deal on the appointment of deans over differences between Kataeb and the Progressive Socialist Party on their sects.

The issue, which was first discussed last week, was postponed to the cabinet's next session.

Cabinet decrees require the approval of its 24 ministers in accordance with an agreement reached last month in light of the vacuum at Baabda Palace.

H.K.