Bassil Says No Cabinet Resolutions without Consensus, Lauds PM's 'Responsible Remarks'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Thursday lauded remarks by Prime Minister Tammam Salam on “turning the page” on the stormy July 9 cabinet session, as he stressed that no resolutions would be passed in cabinet without “consensus” among all its components.
“We appreciate his stance, especially that there is an intention to open a new chapter,” said Bassil at a press conference, describing Salam's statement as “responsible.”
“But we underline that the new chapter is not at the personal level with PM Salam, as the cabinet's functioning must be based on consensus,” Bassil added.
“We apologize to all Lebanese over the government's performance,” the FM went on to say, echoing earlier remarks by Salam.
The cabinet crisis grew earlier this month when a dispute erupted between Salam and Bassil, who is a Free Patriotic Movement official, over the cabinet's decision-making mechanism.
The tension between Salam and Bassil was accompanied by a protest by FPM supporters near the Grand Serail where the session was underway. The FPM, which is led by MP Michel Aoun, accuses the premier of infringing on the Christian president's powers in the absence of a head of state.
“We represent the president, although partially. That's why we're entrusted with the president's powers in their absence,” Bassil added.
“If we couldn't agree on the appointment of a security official, a minister should not commit legal violations” by extending the terms of the incumbent officials, Bassil said, referring to Defense Minister Samir Moqbel.
“I hope we will implement the law and the Constitution, especially in the issue of appointments,” the FM stated.
Earlier on Thursday, the government failed to reach a decision on its working mechanism and the waste crisis but agreed to continue discussions next week.
The session was held at the Grand Serail amid a “disgust” expressed by Salam over the failure to bridge the gap between the bickering sides in the government.
The government did not discuss details on how to dispose of waste because Salam had clinched a deal with Free Patriotic Movement ministers not to tackle any issue before resolving the dispute on the cabinet's decision-making mechanism.
Y.R.
23 July 2015, 16:52
28
Bassil: The government's work should be based on consensus and respect for the constitutional and legal norms.
Is your work and that of your boss/uncle based on consensus and respect for the constitution? When you boycott the presidential elections are you respecting the constitution?
When you eliminated the totality of the Sunni community in the Miqati government was it based on consensus?
23 July 2015, 17:45
72
Dear beiruti. The government was formed on this basis and understanding since May 2014. What happened is that the Fpm is using this veto power to stop Salams breaking of the constitution. Your Saudi thinking is that you own the country and all are just employees. Sorry not the Fpm
23 July 2015, 23:07
03
please explain to me how making a decison based on the environmental minister's ideas and suggestions to solve the Garbage issue before the concensus deal would be breaking the consitution?
24 July 2015, 03:56
03
Yes rami, Iran is the owner of Lebanon, Hezbollah is the property manager and Aoun its janitor. Who is breaking the constitution? Who refuses to attend meetings of Parliament? Who insists that he is a candidate for life to be President, only never to put his candidacy to a vote? Who Rami but your FPM and only your FPM. Destructive and blaming others for the product of your destructive efforts.
23 July 2015, 17:47
53
Dear beiruti. The government was formed on this basis and understanding since May 2014. What happened is that the Fpm is using this veto power to stop Salams breaking of the constitution. Your Saudi thinking is that you own the country and all are just employees. Sorry not the Fpm
Reply
23 July 2015, 17:55
25
They already tried the unanimous decision formula, and it failed miserably, as Imbassil vetoed Harb's decrees, and Harb retaliated by vetoing the FPM decrees.
The FPM will play nice for the first meeting to show that "see, this works", and then bam! Next meeting, they will refuse to discuss anything, unless the military appointments are tackled.
I can see this tactic a mile away. Hopefully, Salam sees it too.
23 July 2015, 18:18
36
Mr. Gebran, what the honorable PM did is also known as an Exit Strategy, from which your father-In-Law could save some face. had Mr. Salam not be a real gentleman, had he not been a real educated gentleman, your leader Aoun would have today faced a strong humiliation, at a time when he the claoun is no longer capable to stomach anymore defeats. Mr. Salam has proven his mettle, plus his capacity to act rationally as a truly noble man. he has shown his responsibility to act as a real statesman unlike that utterly mad man whom despite his age has been constant with recklessness. Just say ya Mr. Gebran, thanks God for decent men like Salam, magnanimity has been shown amply today.
23 July 2015, 18:21
26
Tric, this Gebran of yours has one opportunity in his career, to go and collect trash and you want him to be our president? Since you claim to be an Orange Portuguese, take him to Lisbon and give him his new status as a citizen of your country.
23 July 2015, 18:31
26
Eagle, the other minimum is for him to have at least one side of his brains functional, in Gebran's case both sides are dysfunctional. I'd happily send him to that Iranian neighborhood in Porto.
23 July 2015, 18:39
26
Stop talking about the constitution that you have spat on by your demonstrated behavior. Stop talking about Christian rights when you have done nothing but destroy and weaken Christian rights. Where are Christian rights when your terror ally unlawfully holds the position of Director of General Security that was Christian since the inception of the state of Lebanon.
PM Salam has demonstrated he cares more about Christian rights than you will ever claim. You (FPM) are traitors to your country, Christianity, and humanity.
23 July 2015, 18:41
25
funny eagle:) I also agree with phoenix... jibran is also mentally challenged.
23 July 2015, 20:14
16
Gebran looks drawn and tired, signs of difficult times for him, his F.I.L Claoun, his mentors Hezbollah, Syria and Iran.
23 July 2015, 20:47
04
These Ebola and FPM followers always talk about Saudi Arabia but never mention anything about Iran. WHY???
24 July 2015, 13:58
02
tric.irani
a midget cannot be president. Basil is below 140 cm tall. Unfortunately, the constitution requires the president to be above 140 cm.
