Cabinet Fails to Address Mechanism during 'Heated Session'
A cabinet session held at the Grand Serail on Thursday failed to address the mechanism of its functioning following tensions between ministers, reported MTV.
It said that tensions between Education Minister Elias Bou Saab and Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb caused tensions at the meeting, forcing Prime Minister Tammam Salam to end the session.
Information Minister Ramzi Jreij said after the cabinet session: “Salam is holding consultations in order to alter the mechanism.”
“This requires consensus,” he explained.
The premier had earlier told An Nahar daily Thursday that he will not bring up this issue because he has not yet completed his consultations with various factions on the matter.
He is still holding talks with various government groups to reach an agreement over the new mechanism.
The premier is also seeking to avoid any ministerial veto that has in the past led to the obstruction of cabinet decisions, said An Nahar.
Salam told the daily that he has so far not yet received any opposition to the ideas he had proposed.
He added however that a comprehensive mechanism has not yet been devised.
Al-Joumhouria newspaper meanwhile reported Thursday that Salam had proposed that the cabinet mechanism of approving articles should be based on the vote of “two thirds plus one of the ministers.”
The debate over the cabinet mechanism arose in light of the ongoing vacuum in the presidency.
Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May.
In line with the constitution, the cabinet began exercising the president’s prerogatives after the parliament failed to elect a successor for Suleiman.
Salam has adopted the collective vote formula that requires the approval of the 23 ministers on major decisions. Such a process is hindering the government's work over the veto right that certain cabinet members are exercising.
The majority of the cabinet ministers have reportedly backed a change in the mechanism.
M.T.
H.K.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/167120 |