Cabinet Parties Agree to Continue Thorny Mechanism Debate after Eid as FPM Protesters Scuffle with Army

Cabinet convened on Thursday morning to tackle its mechanism as supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement took to the streets to demand “the restoration of Christian rights.”

The cabinet session was held to tackle the government's mechanism of taking decisions in light of the presidential vacuum.

Prior to the meeting, a heated exchange took place between Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, prompting officials at the Grand Serail to request the media to leave the premises.

Bassil had arrived at the Serail with a copy of the constitution, saying that he was “demonstrating for it.”

Commenting on his actions, Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb said: “He should read the constitution before demonstrating for it.”

Bassil started the session by attempting to discuss the jurisdiction of the president, reported LBCI television.

A quarrel later erupted between Ministers Wael Abou Faour and Akram Shehayeb with Bassil.

The television station spoke of a number of heated exchanges that took place in cabinet before they died down and the ministers were able to discuss the cabinet agenda.

It managed to approve one ordinary agenda article.

After the article was passed, “the premier proposed discussing the issue of the cabinet's mechanism in the session that will be held after Eid al-Fitr,” promising that it will be "the first item on the agenda," Information Minister Ramzi Jreij told reporters after the session.

“I have endorsed the principle of consensus in the cabinet's work to avoid paralysis and I will keep holding onto this approach,” Salam said during the session, according to Jreij.

“The mission of our coalition government is running the country's affairs, not resolving the controversial political issues,” the PM added.

He also stressed keenness on his jurisdiction, calling on all parties to respect “posts and dignities” and underlining his “commitment to the Constitution.”

The FPM supporters had gathered near the Grand Serail in Beirut and scuffled with the army as they attempted to head to the government building.

The army and security forces had bolstered their presence in the area in anticipation of any security development, blocking all roads leading to the Grand Serail.

The supporters had earlier vowed to stage “peaceful and civilized protests,” pledging that they will not block any roads.

One person was wounded in the scuffles, accusing the army of beating him.

The military later issued a statement declaring that “it will not be lured into any confrontation,” stressing that it is “tasked with protecting state institutions and the people.”

It announced that seven of its members were wounded in the protests.

Bassil and Education Minister Elias Bou Saab, both of the FPM, headed to the protesters soon after the end of the cabinet session.

The demonstrators soon began clearing the area at the end of the session.

“Today, we achieved what we want, but this is the beginning and not the end of the battle, which is not confined to a certain article, location or time,” Bassil told the protesters.

For his part Bou Saab said the session that will be held after Eid will be dedicated to “discussing and defining the powers of the president.”

“We are partners in the country and we refuse to be marginalized,” he added.

Asked about the scuffles with the army, Bou Saab stressed that the FPM “will protect the army and its rights” and that “no one can put us in a confrontation with it.”

Earlier this week, FPM chief MP Michel Aoun had called on his supporters to prepare for rallies to regain what he described as the “Christians' rights.”

His supporters began preparing to stage anti-government rallies after the cabinet failed to discuss the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials.

The protests kicked off on Wednesday evening through roaming convoys in several regions.

M.T./Y.R.