Report: Ongoing State Security Agency Dispute Casts Doubt on Fate of Tuesday's Cabinet Session

Questions surround the possibility of holding a cabinet session next week given the ongoing dispute over the appointments of the members of the general-directorate of state security, reported various media outlets on Saturday.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is expected to make his decision on Saturday on whether to call the government to meet on Tuesday.

The cabinet had convened on Thursday, but it was marred by the ongoing dispute over the state security agency. A government session was scheduled for Tuesday, but it is a awaiting Salam's invitation.

Efforts have been made to resolve the general-directorate of state security dispute with Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon holding talks with Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Friday.

The dispute centers on the budget of the agency and differences between its director Major General George Qaraa and his deputy Brigadier General Mohammed al-Tufaili.

The disagreements between the two officials has started to take on a sectarian turn, reported al-Liwaa newspaper.

Pharaon meanwhile supports Qaraa, who represents Christians, and Khalil supports Tufaili, who enjoys the backing of several ministers, including Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Akram Shehayyeb, and Wael Abou Faour.

Given these differences, al-Liwaa doubted that a cabinet session will be held, saying that its fate depends on a breakthrough in this file.

In March, the Kataeb Party’s three representatives in the cabinet in addition to Pharaon warned that they would take action if the government fails to resolve the “marginalization” of the general-directorate of state security.

"The siege laid on this agency is unjustified," said Pharaon.

Economy Minister Alain Hakim, of the Kataeb Party, had said at the time that all Christians reject the neglect of the department.

The general-directorate of state security had sent a bill to the cabinet on March 20, 2014 asking for the creation of a six-member leadership authority under which Qaraa, a Catholic, would have the casting vote.

But the former secretary general of the cabinet, Suhail Bouji, paralyzed the plan by saying that the approval of the bill requires a draft-law to be adopted by the parliament unlike a decision made by the Shura Council, the report said.

Media reports quoted a ministerial source as saying that Bouji’s move likely came as a result of his friendship with Tufaili.