Cabinet Faces STL Funding Test
The cabinet launches on Tuesday what would most probably be protracted discussions on the draft state budget which includes the controversial funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The first government session on the 2012 budget will be held at Baabda palace on Tuesday afternoon. Ministerial sources told An Nahar daily that discussions will start with an overview of the budget that is drafted by Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi.
The ministers will later review the draft budget and make their proposals next week.
Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour ruled out discussion of the STL funding article on Tuesday, saying that the issue is left for consultations among the country’s top leaderships before putting it on the table of the cabinet.
The sources expected Lebanese officials to have enough time to announce their final stances from the funding which should be made before December.
President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat have backed the funding of the STL. But the Hizbullah-led March 8 forces, which consider the tribunal an Israeli and American tool, have rejected to pay Lebanon’s shares.
Another cabinet session is to convene on Wednesday.
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