Cabinet Holds ‘Calmest Session Ever’
A cabinet session held on Friday was “one of the calmest ever,” Information Minister Walid Daouq said, stressing that the ministers would discuss the 2011 draft state budget next week.
“It was one of the calmest sessions,” Daouq told reporters after the government convened at the Grand Serail under Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
Asked if there had been any disputes between the ministers, he said: “No, not at all.”
The cabinet sessions have been lately witnessing arguments between the different factions over several controversial issues. The major disputes have erupted between ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat.
During the last session, the cabinet approved a proposal by Miqati on the wage boost to public and private sector employees. But the move frustrated Aoun’s ministers after Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas had proposed a decree on wages for approval.
“The cabinet will discuss the budget during a session at Baabda palace next Wednesday,” Daouq said.
Friday’s session was regular as it did not include discussions on major and controversial issues.
The cabinet condemned the bombing attack on a UNIFIL patrol in the southern city of Tyre that left five French peacekeepers and two civilians injured.
Daouq quoted Miqati as telling the ministers that the attack not only targets U.N. peacekeepers but also the stability and security of Lebanon.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://cdn.naharnet.com/stories/en/22843 |