Khalil-Saniora Financial Row Contained after Hariri-Berri Contacts

Contacts between Speaker Nabih Berri and al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri have managed to contain the latest dispute between Mustaqbal bloc chief ex-PM Fouad Saniora and Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who is also Berri's political aide, a media report said on Thursday.

“A phone call between the Center House and Ain al-Tineh has contributed to containing the row between ex-PM Saniora and Minister Khalil,” al-Liwaa newspaper quoted a source from the Mustaqbal bloc as saying.

“Ex-PM Hariri intervened personally to rein in the exchange of tirades before it turns into a crisis between the two parties, noting that the country cannot withstand a war of words over the financial issue,” the source said.

The clarifications that were voiced by Saniora on Wednesday and the statement that was issued by the Mustaqbal bloc have also played a role in pacifying the situation, the source added, pointing out that Khalil had also announced on Wednesday that the page has been turned on the dispute.

In the Mustaqbal statement that was recited by MP Ammar Houry on Wednesday, the movement had declared that “it is not at all willing or interested in engaging in any debate or exchange of insults with anyone regarding the financial issue.”

“The country needs us all to be responsible during these circumstances,” it said.

Saniora for his part described the row that pointed the finger at his role as finance minister in the previous governments as “a storm in a teacup.”

During a cabinet session on Tuesday, Khalil had announced that he has a report about budget irregularities from the period between 1997 and 2010, during which Saniora was a finance minister, hinting that “the coming period might witness measures and accountability.”

Khalil's statement aggravated Saniora, according to reports, and drew a response from the Mustaqbal bloc, which said in a statement that the Finance Ministry under Khalil has “failed to find and secure the right financial resources to boost the treasury's revenues.”

The minister hit back, saying his ministry does not need a certification from “someone who faces financial, administrative and legal accusations,” adding that “the public opinion has not forgotten the 11 billion dollars,” in a jab at Saniora.