Sources: Salam's Procrastination on Cabinet Session Aimed at Avoiding Clash

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is aware that the cabinet can convene despite the absence of Free Patriotic Movement ministers but is procrastinating on calling for a session to avoid a clash, sources close to the PM said.

The sources told al-Liwaa newspaper published on Wednesday that Salam does not want to hit the political balance in the government.

“That's why he dragged his feet on calling for a session on Thursday,” they said.

The cabinet fell in a crisis last week when FPM officials said they would not discuss any issue before ministers first address the controversial issue of the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials.

On Tuesday, the Change and Reform bloc of FPM chief Michel Aoun said following its weekly meeting that it will continue to stop the cabinet from taking decisions that violate the constitution.

Salam is hinging on the efforts exerted by Speaker Nabih Berri and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat to limit the timeframe of the so-called cabinet paralysis, the sources told al-Liwaa.

Jumblat met with Berri in Ain el-Tineh on Sunday after which he said that he will seek with Berri “to overcome political obstacles and consolidate stability.”

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