Berri-Aoun Electoral Battle in Jezzine Extends to Appropriations Committee
Representatives of parliamentary blocs on Wednesday postponed a second meeting to Friday ahead of the Oct. 20 Parliament session to make recommendations for the appointments of heads of parliamentary committees, chairmen and rapporteurs.
During Tuesday”s talks a rift emerged over the presidency of the Appropriations Committee. The Change and Reform bloc insisted on nominating MP Ibrahim Kanaan while the Development and Liberation bloc wanted to keep the presidency of the committee within its share by nominating MP Anwar al-Khalil.
Former MP Samir Azar, who was a member of the Development and Liberation bloc and lost the polls, headed the committee since 1992.
Speaker Nabih Berri”s insistence on nominating Azar to run in the parliamentary elections in Jezzine and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun”s rejection were the reason behind the formation of two separate opposition lists in the district.
The Jezzine rift during the June 7 polls seems to have extended to the election of heads of parliamentary blocs with each of Berri”s and Aoun”s blocs being resolute in heading the Appropriations Committee.