Slim holds reconciliation meeting with Mikati

Caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Slim was meeting Thursday with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in talks aimed at healing the rift between the two officials, al-Jadeed TV said.

The meeting was behind held in the presence of Culture Minister Mohammad Murtada.

Slim had on Wednesday met with Murtada and caretaker Minister of the Displaced Issam Sharafeddine.

According to media reports, Murtada and Sharafeddine have been seeking a reconciliation between Mikati and Slim.

“The defense minister is responsive and he said that he is willing to hold a personal meeting with PM Mikati. He is awaiting the outcome of the contacts with his political party (Free Patriotic Movement) and I hope MP Jebran Bassil will not impede the issue,” Sharafeddine had said on Wednesday.

Tensions had surged between Mikati and Slim due to disputes over military appointments, including the extension of the term of Army chief Joseph Aoun, which ultimately took place last week. A new army chief of staff and two members of the military council are yet to be appointed.

Mikati has in recent days sent a new memo to Slim, asking him to submit proposals for filling the vacant military posts. Slim responded by saying that he was awaiting the result of the appeal filed by the FPM against the law that extended Aoun’s term.

In the beginning of Tuesday’s Cabinet session, Mikati had informed ministers of the memo that he had sent to Slim two days earlier.

“After Mikati recited the memo that he sent to Defense Minister Maurice Slim, one of the ministers suggested that a direct contact take place between Mikati and Minister Slim,” al-Liwaa said.

“Mikati responded that the premiership cannot be insulted,” the daily added.

“The moment Maurice Slim came to the Grand Serail and started shouting, I considered that he was finished to me and that from that moment dealing with him would become formal and through memos,” al-Liwaa newspaper quoted Mikati as telling ministers.