Aridi Says Cabinet Not in Good Shape, Warns Against Disputes and Obstructions
Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi has criticized the Free Patriotic Movement for seeking to impose its point of view on the cabinet, warning that the government “isn’t in good shape.”
“We can’t spend our time discussing details,” the Progressive Socialist Party minister said about prolonged disputes on controversial issues. The government is holding sessions twice a week without being able to complete the discussion of its agenda, he added.
“There are different viewpoints in the cabinet and each minister has the right to express his opinion but things cannot work based on the opinion of a single team,” he said in remarks published in newspapers on Friday.
Aridi’s remarks came after several PSP ministers clashed with FPM representatives Energy Minister Jebran Bassil and Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas over several issues during the cabinet session on Wednesday.
“The government isn’t in good shape, and it could be more solid and productive,” Aridi said. “What is the meaning of our presence in the government if we weren’t going to become real partners and act in full partnership?” he asked.
Aridi lamented that each cabinet session is witnessing a dispute and hinted that the FPM was seeking to “obstruct productivity in the country.”
Asked if he thought that the arguments between ministers was creating cracks inside the cabinet, the minister said: “The government has a mission to address the people’s problems and when its functions are obstructed from within, then it reaches the stage of resignation.”
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