1st Cabinet Meeting Held amid Arslan’s Absence, Commemorative Photo Taken at Baabda Doorstep
Premier Najib Miqati’s new cabinet held its first session at Baabda palace on Wednesday in the absence of Talal Arslan who had announced his resignation to protest the state ministry post allotted to him.
President Michel Suleiman chaired the meeting at 10:30 am. Miqati and the remaining 28 members of the cabinet attended. Arslan announced his resignation hours after the government was formed on Monday. He was demanding a cabinet portfolio.
The first cabinet session was mainly aimed at forming a committee designed to draft the policy statement.
The National News Agency said the committee headed by Miqati includes ministers representing the major parliamentary blocs. They are: Charbel Nahhas, Shakib Qortbawi, Ali Qanso, Ali Hassan Khalil, Mohammed Safadi, Nazem al-Khouri and Wael Abu Faour.
NNA said that at the start of the session, Suleiman discussed the latest developments and the challenges facing the cabinet. As for Miqati, he discussed about the government’s major work plan.
Ahead of the meeting, the cabinet’s members were joined by Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri at Baabda’s doorstep for the official photograph.
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