Miqati, FPM Tensions Spill over into Govt. Policy Statement Committee Meeting
The first dispute among members of the committee drafting the government policy statement erupted on Thursday between Prime Minister Najib Miqati and members of the Free Patriotic Movement, reported Al-Liwaa newspaper on Friday.
It centered on Miqati’s opposition to Ministers Walid al-Daouq and Jebran Bassil joining the committee.
After a discussion with President Michel Suleiman, Miqati acquiesced to the request without resorting to holding a cabinet session.
The daily An Nahar Friday recounted a different version of the events saying that Miqati telephoned Suleiman during the meeting to inquire about the mechanism that would allow Daouq and Bassil to join the committee, which the president said requires a decision from cabinet.
A widely informed source told al-Liwaa that the dispute is part of the ongoing tensions between the premier and the FPM that emerged during the government formation process.
It said that this issue is likely to cast a shadow over the government’s future functioning.
The committee is scheduled to hold its second meeting on Tuesday.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/8500 |