Jreij: Current Govt. Has Taken Decisions with Difficulty, Imposed Relative Stability
Information Minister Ramzi Jreij noted that the government was not expected to perform the role of the president for such a long time given that the vacuum in the presidency has lasted over a year, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Tuesday.
He told the daily: “The government has however proceeded with its work, but with difficulty given the differences among its members.”
It would have taken more decisions had a president been available because he helps keep calm among officials, explained the minister.
The president enjoys certain privileges that the government cannot practice, added Jreij.
The presidential vacuum was not expected to last so long and disputes among the government factions are to be expected because they enjoy conflicting stances on various issues, he said.
“The lack of president is crippling work at state institutions even though the president does not enjoy wide privileges, but taking some decisions requires his signature,” state the minister.
Moreover, he credited the cabinet with establishing stability in Lebanon given the various security plans that have been adopted in different regions.
“This stability should be accompanied with progress on the political level through the election of a president and holding the parliamentary elections according to a law that ensures just representation of the Lebanese,” he stressed to Asharq al-Awsat.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.
Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.
The government has since been assuming the role of the president, but with some limitations, until a new one can be elected.
M.T.
H.K.
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