Miqati Says Cabinet’s Term Linked to Stability, Disputes Will be Resolved

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed that his cabinet’s term, is linked to its capability to preserve stability, according to newspapers published on Wednesday.

“When (the cabinet) becomes incapable of maintaining stability then we can discuss this issue,” Miqati told An Nahar.

The government led by Miqati faced during the past year thorny issues such as electricity shortages, the wage boost, appointments of top civil servants and diplomats, the 2012 draft state budget, and others

“I am seeking more solidarity among cabinet members and to activate productivity in the second year of (the government’s) tenure,” Miqati told As Safir newspaper, a year after he was appointed.

The PM revealed to An Nahar that the 2012 draft state budget will be ready by February, as the appointments of top civil servants and diplomats will be tackled by the cabinet next Wednesday.

“Nothing is achieved swiftly in Lebanon because of the plurality in the country, as every decree, decision or law would have to pass in a natural process,” Miqati told As Safir.

Asked about the local security situation, Miqati told al-Joumhouria newspaper: “The security situation is under control… We are working on fortifying the tranquil situation…”

“It’s all working out calmly,” he told the daily.

Miqati noted that “there will always be some unsatisfied parties… Everything we do aims at preserving Lebanon.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati held a meeting on Wednesday with the six-member Maronite committee tasked by the Maronite leaders to follow-up the drafting of an electoral law.

Last year, Maronite leaders agreed on adopting the Orthodox Gathering proposal that suggests each sect elect its MPs. However, the proposal was rejected by many officials on the basis that it isolates Muslims from Christians.

The cabinet has been recently discussing a draft law proposed by Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on adopting the proportional representation system in the upcoming elections in 2013, under which Lebanon would be divided into 10 to 14 medium-sized electorates.

Concerning the wage boost decree that caused a controversial dispute among cabinet members, Miqati told As Safir that President Michel Suleiman is expected to sign the decree in the upcoming two days.

Last week, the cabinet approved a wage hike decree which sets the minimum wage at LL675,000, canceling a LL200,000 increase in wages given on 1/1/2010. The increase on brackets sets the raise on the first bracket up to LL400,000 to 100 percent , a sum that wouldn’t be less than LL375,000 while the increase on the second bracket – up to LL1.5 million- would include the first LL400,000 plus a 9 percent raise.

“We are only seeking the cooperation of all parties to prioritize the citizens interests,” Miqati said.

He was surprised by media reports over his two meetings with Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stressing that the two officials agreed on many issues.

“The STL’s protocol should be discussed gradually,” he told An Nahar.

According to a report published in al-Akhbar newspaper earlier in the month, the meetings between Nasrallah and Miqati tackled the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

The report said that Nasrallah stressed to Miqati his rejection for the renewal of the protocol signed with the STL.

On his scheduled visit to Paris on February 10, the PM said that he would hold talks with President Nicolas Sarkozy and PM Francois Fillon during his three-day visit.

Regarding the developments in Syria and Lebanon’s position, the premier told An Nahar that the cabinet aims at “protecting Lebanon from any possible repercussions and the world understands our stance.”

“The Syrians understand our position, the Arabs too… and there’s consensus among the Lebanese over the matter,” he said.

Lebanon's government, which is dominated by Hizbullah, has sidestepped taking a firm stand on the Syria crisis in what observers say is a bid to avoid potential sanctions or a spillover of the violence.

The United Nations estimates more than 5,400 people have been killed in Syria since March as the regime of President Bashar Assad cracks down on a popular revolt.