Salam Rejects to Become 'Guardian of Paralysis' amid Fears of Major Crisis
Prime Minister Tammam Salam intensified on Wednesday his efforts to avert a major political crisis over threats made by the Free Patriotic Movement to resort to the streets in defense of Christian rights.
Al-Mustaqbal daily on Wednesday quoted Salam's sources as saying that the PM “rejects to engage in a row with anyone yet he cannot meet the demands of six ministers and ignore the requests of another 18 ministers.”
Salam rejects to become the “guardian of paralysis,” they said, adding that he is eager to assume his responsibilities as the head of the 24-member government.
On Tuesday, FPM chief MP Michel Aoun slammed Salam and accused him of acting as if he were president.
Following the weekly meeting of his Change and Reform bloc, the lawmaker said Article 62 of the Constitution stipulates that the president's powers would be “delegated to the cabinet in the event of a presidential void.”
“But today the ministers are breaching this jurisdiction and the premier has assumed two roles -- his role and the role of the president -- and this is unacceptable,” he added.
Aoun called for a “fateful battle” and urged his supporters to resort to the streets. But such action depends on the outcome of Thursday's cabinet session.
FPM ministers backed by their allies in Hizbullah, the Tashnag Party and Marada Movement want the government to discuss the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials.
The failure to discuss the issue is threatening to paralyze the cabinet and further expanding Lebanon's political crisis which was caused as a result of the vacuum at the presidential palace last year and the parliamentary paralysis that ensued.
In their remarks to al-Mustaqbal, Salam's sources said that so far 14 cabinet ministers, including two Christians, have signed on a decree to open an extraordinary parliamentary session.
But the PM wants the signatures of more Christian ministers to guarantee the right balance, they said.
Despite the looming crisis, Salam's sources told al-Joumhouria daily that political parties would not topple the cabinet or any other constitutional institution.
The premier is expected to hold more intense meetings to avert a showdown during Thursday's session.
G.K.
D.A.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/184143 |