Harb Says Will File Request to Question Taborian
MP Boutros Harb announced Tuesday he will file a request to quiz fellow MP and Energy and Water Minister Alain Taborian on allegations of negligence and will ask that his parliamentary immunity be lifted.
Following talks with the president, Harb said he informed Michel Suleiman of imminent plans to request a general assembly in Parliament to discuss the motion against Taborian. Harb will also ask that Cabinet withdraw its confidence from the minister.
Harb is accusing Taborian of "neglecting the people”s rights and their interests … by hampering the progress of several projects and halting credit loans allocated to other plans" aimed at providing services to the public.
He said Taborian has been taking advantage of the Doha Agreement under which Lebanese leaders agreed to form a national unity government on the condition that no minister would resign.
"Some ministers saw in that agreement a protective shield that allowed them to abuse their positions of power and cause damages to the citizens," Harb said. He added: "Such a deceptive policy has deprived the citizens of services provided by the state."
Harb said he briefed the president on Taborian”s alleged practices providing several documented examples, including a rising public anger on the decline in energy and water services.
"I wanted the president to be aware of my plans … We agreed to form a government that would serve the best interest of the people not to harm them," he said. Therefore, "we will not remain silent" to Taborian”s damaging actions, he promised.