Salam Considering Adoption of New Mechanism to Facilitate Cabinet Work

Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq revealed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam is seeking to reach a new mechanism that organizes the work of his cabinet.

“Salam aims at giving ministers the right to veto decrees that are exceptional and non-controversial,” Mashnouq said in comments published in the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper.

He described the talks as positive as the rival ministers have no objection on reaching a mechanism that facilitates their meetings.

The government, which assumed the president’s prerogatives, has been stuck in a limbo after President Michel Suleiman's tenure ended in May as any decree requires the agreement of the 23 rival ministers to be approved. Such a process is hindering the government's work over the veto right that certain cabinet members are exercising.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the elections.

Mashnouq told the daily that the presidential crisis reached a dead end, expressing hope that “the regional countries would remove obstacles impeding the election of a new head of state soon.”

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