Saudi Crown Prince’s Death Provides Safe Exit for Bickering Cabinet Ministers

A series of controversial issues are awaiting a solution by the cabinet but the death of the Saudi Crown Prince forced a postponement of a session on Tuesday, a move that came as a safe exit out for the bickering government ministers.

Informed sources told An Nahar daily on Monday that the “cracks” worsened during the last government session over the dispute between the ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun and those representing Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat.

They expressed concern at the “antagonistic stances” adopted by some parties represented in the cabinet at a time when major issues such as the installation of Hizbullah’s telecommunications network in the town of Tarshish and a dispute over the promotions of security officers are threatening to add fuel to the government crisis.

But the death of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz forced the postponement of a cabinet session that was scheduled to discuss the tourism plan on Tuesday. Premier Najib Miqati and several ministers will head to Riyadh to attend the crown prince’s funeral.

The fate of another session that is due to be held at Baabda palace on Wednesday is not known yet given that President Michel Suleiman will head to Saudi Arabia to offer his condolences. Media reports said that the meeting could either be postponed or be held at the Grand Serail under Miqati.

Several issues, including Hizbullah’s telecom network, require unity and a quick decision by cabinet ministers. But the controversial topic hasn’t been put on the government agenda yet and top officials have evaded it under the excuse that they would travel to Saudi Arabia.

The closure of several roads in Beirut’s southern suburbs against the backdrop of a land dispute in the predominantly Shiite town of Lassa in Jbeil district on Sunday is likely to further complicate the task of the cabinet.

Furthermore, the dispute between the FPM and PSP ministers will likely impose a further delay in the discussion of the 2012 draft state budget that includes the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Any delay or rejection to fund the STL that is set to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins will most likely put Miqati in confrontation with the international community.