Change and Reform: We Won't Allow the Cabinet to Convene and Violate Constitution

The Change and Reform bloc rejected on Tuesday attempts to hold a cabinet session that will not address the security appointments.

Former Minister Salim Jreissati said after the bloc's weekly meeting: “We will not allow the government to convene and violate the constitution.”

“We urge those who respect the constitution to resolve the case of security appointments,”he added.

Moreover, Jreissati added: “The security appointments must be separated from the presidential vacuum.”

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun's initiative to end the presidential deadlock.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

On Tuesday, Suleiman severely criticized the Free Patriotic Movement and Hizbullah without naming them for seeking to “paralyze” the cabinet.

“It is not acceptable to impose conditions on the cabinet,” he said following talks with a delegation from al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc at his residence in Yarze.

FPM officials have been calling on the appointment of high-ranking military and security officials before discussing any other issue in the cabinet.

Aoun wants to bring his son-in-law Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz as army chief.

“There are always threats made by certain parties. But we back Prime Minster Tammam Salam,” said Suleiman.

M.T.

Y.R.