New clash looms as Mikati prepares to call for new cabinet session

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is inclined to call for a new caretaker cabinet session, despite “all the pledges he has made, especially to Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi,” a media report said on Thursday.

“In agreement with Speaker Nabih Berri, Mikati intends to call for a cabinet session in the beginning of 2023 and its agenda will include preparing a draft law for extending the terms of security and military chiefs ahead of sending it to parliament for a vote,” informed sources told al-Akhbar newspaper.

“The fate of the session hinges on the stances of the political forces that took part in the December 5 session, but the mere intention to call for a session reflects a desire to challenge the Free Patriotic Movement and will definitely lead to a clash bigger than the one that marred the last session,” al-Akhbar added.