Cabinet Approves Policy Statement, Refers it to Parliament

Information Minister Walid al-Daouq announced on Thursday the government’s approval of its policy statement, referring it to parliament for the vote of confidence.

He said in a press conference after the ratification of the statement: “Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed during the session that calm and responsible dialogue pervaded the sessions drafting the statement.”

“The policy statement is not too long and we stressed the principles stipulated in the constitution, as well as the issues that have enjoyed Lebanese consensus,” he added.

The meeting also emphasized Lebanon’s ties with Arab and international sides, the minister continued.

In addition, the gatherers stressed the importance of respecting international agreements in line with Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, al-Daouq said.

“We asserted the commitment to United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 and the equation of the army, people, and Resistance, as well as the importance of uncovering the truth in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri,” he said.

“This includes following up on the functioning of the STL,” he stressed.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of the Palestinian people’s right to return to their homeland.

Al-Daouq hoped that the government would soon receive the vote of confidence in order for it to implement its agreements.

He quoted Miqati as saying: “We set a vision of what we want to achieve and we didn’t go into details. The ministers will be charged with explaining their goals.”

The policy statement that was adopted on Wednesday by a 12-member committee tasked with drafting it.

Thursday’s cabinet meeting was preceded by closed-door talks between President Michel Suleiman and Miqati.

After approving the policy statement, the government will send a copy of it to Speaker Nabih Berri who should set a date for parliamentary sessions aimed at giving a vote of confidence to the cabinet.

The controversial STL clause was causing the delay in drafting the ministerial statement. But the committee clinched a deal on it on Wednesday night.