First Hariri Government Protocol Picture Taken
The protocol picture marking the initiation of PM Saad Hariri”s first government was taken Tuesday at the doorsteps of Baabda Palace in the absence of Phalange Party”s minister Salim al-Sayegh and the attendance of State Minister Michel Faroun.
A closed meeting gathered Suleiman, Berri, and Hariri prior to the photo-taking session.
After the protocol picture was taken, the first session of Hariri”s government kicked off headed by President Michel Suleiman. The session is to form a committee to write the cabinet”s policy statement. The committee will most probably hold a meeting at the Grand Serail on Tuesday night.
Before heading to Baabda, Hariri visited the Phalange Party headquarters to meet with its leader Amin Gemayel in an attempt to appease the party and its leadership after it expressed frustration over Hariri”s move that gave the Phalange the social affairs portfolio rather than the education ministry.
MP Sami Gemayel and Minister Salim al-Sayegh joined the Hariri-Gemayel meeting, however, the meeting ended and neither side made a statement to the press.
The politburo of Phalange Party held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Phalange Party official Sejaan Qazzi said that they were neither after a portfolio nor a seat.
The politburo of Phalange Party will hold another meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
On the other hand, State Minister Michel Faroun stressed that the information about his frustration of being appointed as state minister were false, Voice of Lebanon radio said.