Jumblat Optimistic on Cabinet, Says Federation Not Possible in Lebanon

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat was optimistic on Wednesday, saying the cabinet was on the right track to resume its activities.

“The paralysis of the cabinet is a crime amid the presidential vacuum,” Jumblat told local newspapers.

“Everybody needs the government,” he said, adding that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel “Aoun might not give up his demands but could not paralyze the cabinet.”

There are fears that FPM ministers and their allies would disrupt Thursday's session that will be chaired by Prime Minister Tammam Salam over their call for the appointment of high-ranking military and security officials.

Salam suspended the sessions earlier in June after the FPM warned that its ministers would boycott any session whose agenda is not topped with the article on the appointments.

But the PM has stressed that he called on the cabinet to convene on Thursday because he could no longer wait for the rivals to resolve their differences.

“Unfortunately some (parties) are not paying attention to the dangerous economic indicators,” said Jumblat.

He revealed that the latest World Bank report warns from the fragile fiscal situation.

Jumblat also backed a call by Speaker Nabih Berri to invite for an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Berri has been pushing for holding the session, saying in remarks published on Wednesday that he agreed with Salam for him to issue a decree along with the cabinet's simple majority.

He stressed that after the opening of the session, he would call parliament to meet to act on several draft-laws “because the situation in the country is no longer bearable.”

Jumblat was asked about recent statements made by politicians on the implementation of the federal system in Lebanon.

“It is impossible to have a federation,” he said. “The Taef Accord is the only guarantee for Lebanon’s Christians.”

“Let them drop the issue of federation and confederation and let us protect the country together,” said Jumblat, adding “Berri and I agree on this issue.”

G.K.

D.A.