Cabinet Approves 2009 Draft Budget Without Amendments
The Lebanese cabinet approved the controversial 2009 draft budget without amendments during a session at Baabda palace on Friday.
The adoption of the budget, which includes appropriations for the Council of the South, had been stalled for 3 months.
Earlier, ministerial sources said that all cabinet ministers were willing to adopt the budget before the end of parliament”s term on June 20 so that it becomes the first item on the new house”s agenda.
Friday”s session was the first after the parliamentary elections.
President Michel Suleiman reminded at the start of the meeting that the elections were held in a calm atmosphere and lauded "the efforts of involved ministries and institutions."
Suleiman and Premier Fouad Saniora held closed-door talks ahead of the session.