Suleiman Urges Rival Parties to Resolve Spending Dispute

President Michel Suleiman urged all parties on Monday to agree on the foundations that would lead to a solution to the dispute on extra-budgetary spending.

In a statement issued by Baabda palace, Suleiman said a resolution to the bickering should help state institutions continue their work in the service of the citizens.

His statement came after Speaker Nabih Berri adjourned a legislative session to March 15 after March 14 opposition MPs and lawmakers from Walid Jumblat’s National Struggle Front boycotted the meeting that was set to discuss among other things a $5.9 billion spending bill referred to parliament by the cabinet.

The opposition has conditioned its adoption of the bill to a comprehensive solution to $22 billion spent by different governments since 2006.

Suleiman traveled to Doha to participate in a conference on technology’s role in fighting poverty that opens in the Qatari capital on Tuesday.

The president will hold talks with officials on the sidelines of the summit, said the presidential statement.