Cabinet to Focus on Akkar Unrest during Baabda Session on Monday

The security situation will likely impose itself as the main issue of discussion during cabinet’s session on Monday given the recent unrest on the border with Syria and the protests over the release of officers linked to the deaths of Sheikhs Ahmed Abul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

It said that the severity of the situation may force the government to take decisive action in the affairs in order to avoid its further deterioration.

The failed assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb on Thursday will also be tackled during the session, which is set to be held at the Baabda Palace under President Michel Suleiman.

Protests broke out on Friday in light of a decision to release three officers and eight soldiers who were held for their connection to the deaths of Abdul Wahed and Merheb at an army checkpoint in May.

Angry residents in Akkar condemned the decision and blocked roads in protest.

A meeting of Akkar officials late on Thursday demanded that Abdul Wahed and Merheb's case be referred to the judicial council.

It remains to be seen however if the session will be held at all given the boycott of the Change and Reform ministers following the Christian MPs’ boycott of parliament and the bloc’s consequent boycott of cabinet earlier this week.

Parliament’s endorsement of the Electricite Du Liban workers’ bill last Monday caused a March 8 coalition rift between the Free Patriotic Movement on one side and Hizbullah and Speaker Nabih Berri’s AMAL movement on the other.

The draft-law’s approval led Christian lawmakers from both the March 8 and March 14 alliances to boycott the second day of the parliamentary session after they claimed that the employment of the workers would lead to the underrepresentation of Christians in state institutions.

The dispute also led to the suspension of the two cabinet sessions this week.