March 14 Boycotts Joint Parliamentary Committees, Halt Official Meetings until Cabinet Resigns
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The March 14 alliance is pressing forward with its decision to topple the cabinet as it will boycott any official activity, including the parliament, An Nahar newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Lawmakers affiliated with the March 14 parliamentary blocs boycotted Tuesday's joint parliamentary committees meeting, which is set to tackle the new electoral draft law.
Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported later that deputy Speaker Farid Makari didn't arrive at the parliament to head the joint parliamentary committees meeting.
Sources close to the alliance told the newspaper that it insists on the resignation of the government before going into any discussion with the March 8 camp.
The sources pointed out that the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Miqati and his cabinet gives the political foes an opportunity to form a “national cabinet” that is capable of managing the affairs of citizens and organizing the upcoming 2013 parliamentary election.
They noted that the March 14 alliance is contacting foreign countries “to clear its stance and not to consult with them.”
Head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora held a meeting on Tuesday with President Michel Suleiman to inform him that the alliance will not resume the national dialogue and will not discuss any political matter before the government submits its resignation.
On Sunday, Suleiman held talks with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel to persuade him to resume the national dialogue.
The last all-party talks was held on September 20 at the Baabda Palace and the next session is set for November 12.
Clashes broke out on Sunday after the funeral of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan between mourners, mainly March 14 supporters, and the security forces near the Grand Serail.
Police fired in the air and used tear gas to drive back protesters who tried to storm Miqati's office.
Opposition figures have called for Miqati to resign and his government, which is dominated by pro-Syria parties, to step down.
The opposition has blamed Syrian President Bashar Assad for Friday's car bomb blast, which killed Hasan and several other people in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood in Beirut.
They also hold Assad responsible for the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, who was killed in a huge blast in Beirut.
23 October 2012, 11:38
15
let us hope they understand we have had enough. we reached a point where, if we are to die, then let's get done with once and for all.
the slow death m8 is psuhing us to is over.
23 October 2012, 18:53
03
During M8 sit in, they got their paycheck for one and a half years without ever showing up to parliament or doing anything or have you forgotten?
23 October 2012, 11:51
41
remember that when march 14 was in power , the assasinations were taking place as well. So , Mr Miqati is not the issue because you had the power without being able to stop assasination. So you are not smarter and yes we had enough of both of you 14/ 8. you should leave your ego behind and work together 14/ 8. What do you think? to give you a tip.. go ask the wife of your stupid genius Nadim
23 October 2012, 12:29
14
the same murderors that did that are now holding all of lebanon hostage.
the traitors amongst us like the fpm are the best cover for these murderors.
hizbushaitan and their allies are the spearhead of the syrian regime and iran in Lebanon, and they have to go and let us live in peace.
23 October 2012, 13:55
12
Flame thrower ,Do not be happy.. because the march 14th learned stupid actions from march 8th.
your light brain has the same weight. Michel aoun is just similar to nadim kouteich. do not be happy my dear
23 October 2012, 15:08
13
You ignorant fool !
M8 is in total control of government ! How can M14 block anything ?
You also seem to forget that Berri blocked parliament for more than a year. That M8 paralysed the country ever since 2005 !
IGNORANT AND BLIND FOOL !
23 October 2012, 16:10
12
M14 are trying to benefit from the opportunity of the death of Hassan (RIP) to push their political agenda. When mikati begged them to join the governemnent last year, they refused. They are mad like hell how mikati aligned all the western nations with him, the same countries who didnt reveive him in a meeting 1 year ago. They are mad how mikati is, against all odds, and against all their hindrances, staying the game. Now they want to play. Saadoun is tired of skiing and tweeting. He wants to come back. Let them say who they want, do a bipartisan cabinet wou ykhalsouna ba2a
23 October 2012, 16:24
01
Is anybody in Lebanon works for the country, a word called "NATIONALISM"
I thiink that is foreign word, for the majority of the leaders and population
23 October 2012, 17:19
01
Someone needs to put a bomb on ft & all his aliases & sent them to hassoun ,aoun & berri & blow them all up
23 October 2012, 18:56
00
@FlameThrower
As usual you spun what canadian_paul meant. He meant M8 were part of the government then...
