Nahhas’ Successor to be Chosen Swiftly

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The resignation of Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas paved way for officials to avert a three-week cabinet crisis that had threatened the collapse of the government as the names of his successor were being speculated on Thursday.

“No candidate has been chosen yet, but it might happen in the upcoming few hours,” Free Patriotic Movement sources told An Nahar newspaper.

According to local newspapers, FPM leader MP Michel Aoun would either choose former director general at Baabda Palace Joseph Jreissati, Charles Jazra, Georges Nakhleh, Georges Haddad, Judge Arlette Jreissati, Akram Halabi, retired Major General Nadim Lteif, or Judge Alice Tawil.

Nahhas, who was loyal to Aoun, had created controversy over his refusal to sign a cabinet decision taken by the majority on the transportation and education allowances decree, which had put him at loggerheads with Prime Minister Najib Miqati and President Michel Suleiman.

However, the cabinet crisis began as a dispute between Miqati and FPM ministers on a decision taken by the premier concerning the appointment of top civil servants in the state for posts reserved for Christians.

Miqati told As Safir newspaper that “a minister will sign the transportation allowance decree, and a new page would be opened concerning the cabinet’s productive work.”

On Wednesday, Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, who is also loyal to Aoun, handed Miqati the resignation of Nahhas.

Miqati and Suleiman swiftly approved the labor minister’s resignation in a step expected to lead to the resumption of the cabinet sessions.

Suleiman signed on Thursday the decree of Nahhas' resignation.

“We hoped that Nahhas could’ve stayed with us,” Bassil told As Safir. His resignation is a big loss. But without legalizing the transportation allowance (decree)… and appointing top civil servants in the state… the country would lose more.”

Acting Labor Minister Nicolas Fattoush signed the controversial allowance decree before the parliamentary session kicked off on Thursday.

Al-Joumhouria daily said that Aoun was given guarantees that a draft law proposed by Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan would be approved by parliament.

The session on Wednesday adjourned the discussions of two urgent draft laws set to legalize the transportation allowance decree proposed separately by Kanaan and al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Nabil de Freij.

Miqati’s sources told al-Joumhouria that the cabinet sessions might remain suspended until mid-March due to the sharp differences between its members.

Comments 4
Default-user-icon Georges (Guest) 23 February 2012, 11:40

Dear General, the visible part of the iceberg is that Kanaan's draft law on transportation allowance will be passed against the resignation of Charbel Nahas. Is Nahas that cheap? Or is there another deal which is the unvisible part of the iceberg? No matter how good teh deal is, it doesn't justify "selling out" one of the most performing ministers and his loss is a big one to all Lebanese. You've got to re-evaluate your prioroties mon General, or the FPM will slide down the drain...

Thumb geha 23 February 2012, 11:53

FPM has lost the last shred of credibility with the nahas issue and the red diesel scandal.
over spending $6 billion in ONE year against spending 11B over 5 years are 2 different things.
FPM is just playing politics to steal more money and power.
if you wise guys do not believe me, then please go to Tayyar.org and see the comments over there which are self explanatory

Thumb lebneneh 23 February 2012, 12:33

Respect...at last a minister resigns in Lebanon! At least it is not because of a scandal but because he doesn't want to sign something which is against his believes...Respect!

Missing allouchi 23 February 2012, 14:36

I am against Nahhas politically but now I feel sorry for him because he was betrayed by his own boss Aoun. Betrayal is terrible and Aoun seems good at it. Who's next ???