Miqati Optimistic Disagreements Will be Resolved, Insists on Activating Productivity of Cabinet

Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed confidence on Friday that the cabinet members will be able to eventually resolve the disputes among each other.

“I’m not in a hurry… I only care about the productivity (of the cabinet),” Miqati said in remarks published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

He slammed the stances of the Free Patriotic Movement, hinting that its ministers have turned the cabinet’s decisions to “ink on papers.”

“Why isn’t the Labor Minister signing the transportation allowance which was approved by the majority of the government?” Miqati wondered.

The controversial transportation allowance remains a contentious issue between the cabinet members as Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas, who is loyal to Aoun, refuses to sign any decree the terms as “illegal.”

The cabinet had tasked Nahhas with preparing a draft law and referring it to the parliament for adoption, allowing the government to set the minimum rates for transportation and education allowances, thus “legalizing” them.

Concerning the dispute over the FPM ministers’ objection to the names of candidates for the Higher Disciplinary Council and the government representative at this council, which were suggested by Miqati, the PM said: “I want everyone to know who is obstructing the cabinet’s work.”

Miqati stressed that he will not give up on his jurisdictions, stating that during the session he “asked them to choose one (candidate) from the names he had suggested but they refused and insisted on withdrawing the article from discussions.”

The debate broke out during the cabinet’s session at the Baabda Palace on Wednesday, after President Michel Suleiman decided to suspend the session under Miqati’s request.

Miqati stressed that the suspension “falls within the PM's Constitutional prerogatives, especially when there's quorum.”