Berri Upset from 'Surprise' Appointments, Asks Finance Minister Not to Sign

Finance Minister Youssef Khalil might not sign two security appointments that were approved during Thursday's Cabinet session in Baabda, as visitors of Ain el-Tineh reportedly said that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was "very upset" by the appointments.

Shiite Duo sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Friday, that the Duo considered the appointments as a "backstab."

The topic was raised by Defense Minister Maurice Slim in yesterday's session. Amal and Hizbullah's ministers objected because they weren't pre-informed and because the topic was not on the session's agenda.

"Appointments must be made by consensus not by surprise," the sources added, considering that President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Miqati may have agreed in advance without consulting the Duo.

Amal and Hizbullah will not boycott upcoming sessions, according to the sources, but they need Aoun's pledge that such a thing will not occur again.

Meanwhile a ministerial source told al-Akhbar newspaper that Aoun had asked during Thursday's session the Shiite Duo's ministers to prepare nominations for the Shiite position to be discussed in the next cabinet session on Tuesday.

The source revealed that on Thursday night Amal and Hizbullah discussed issuing a joint statement regarding the appointments. Hizbullah preferred to wait, the source added.