Miqati Describes Cabinet Session ‘Fruitful’ but Government Fails to Discuss Budget

Prime Minister Najib Miqati described a session held at the Grand Serail on Tuesday as “fruitful” and “calm” but said the government will fail to convene again this week pending the recovery of Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi.

In remarks to An Nahar daily published Wednesday, Miqati said: “The cabinet was productive and fruitful and several articles that were on the agenda were adopted in a calm and productive atmosphere.”

Wednesday’s session that was scheduled to deal with the 2012 draft state budget was postponed pending the recovery of Safadi, he said.

According to An Nahar, the minister got sick during his latest visit to Italy. It said a session set for Thursday could also be postponed.

Among the decisions taken by the cabinet on Tuesday was the appointment of three judges, Joseph Samaha, Anthony Issa al-Khoury and Naheda Khaddaj, to the Judicial Council.

It also approved a loan agreement to rehabilitate the Jiyyeh and Zouk power plants.