Siniora Says He Will Cancel Taxes If Aoun Funds the State
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told reporters after Friday prayers that all discussions and debates should take place within the cabinet and added that the opposition should not use its “obstructing third” power, because the ministers had agreed on the principles of cooperation, openness and acceptance of each others’ opinions in a civilized manner.
On Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun’s intention to present a draft law to cancel the gasoline taxes, Siniora said he would propose a law to cancel all taxes, if this issue were possible. He added that Aoun’s suggestion was simply impossible and joked saying, "[We will cancel the tax and will ask] General Aoun to give us the money needed for the state’s necessary expenses.”
Siniora noted that the deficit in the treasury would be more than 30% in 2009, adding it was unreasonable that Aoun called for cancelling taxes and deficit at the same time.
Siniora said he supported the national dialogue and noted that it was impossible to reach agreements over all pending issues at one go.
He called for being cooperative with the new US administration, which had shown openness toward the Middle East.