Berri Enraged over Cabinet Paralysis

Speaker Nabih Berri tenaciously rejected the paralysis of the cabinet as the Free Patriotic Movement refuses to budge an inch on its stance regarding the importance of conducting the appointments of civil servants before tackling any other state matter, al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported Tuesday.

“A couple of ministers have no right to obstruct the work of the government,” Berri said after talks with a delegation from al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Monday.

The speaker also expressed anger over the parliamentary crisis and those who are behind it, sources close to al-Mustaqbal delegation told the daily.

The delegation had also met with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday.

The al-Mustaqbal tour came as the government plunged in a further crisis last week when it failed to agree on the appointments of high-ranking security and military figures.

Following the cabinet session, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq issued a decree effectively extending the term of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous for two more years.

His move prompted Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, who is a member of the FPM, to warn that Change and Reform bloc ministers would block any cabinet decision before security appointments are made.

FPM chief MP Michel Aoun has bluntly rejected any attempt to extend the terms of the officials.

He has been lobbying for political consensus on the appointment of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, his son-in-law, as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.

Roukoz's tenure ends in October while the term of army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji expires at the end of September.

H.K.

G.K.