Policy Statement Hits Snag Over Resistance and Privatization
The two contentious issues of resistance and privatization might delay formulation of the government”s policy statement, media reports said Monday.
An Nahar said that the ministerial committee tasked with writing the cabinet platform might not vote on the draft during its second meeting, which will be headed by Premier Saad Hariri on Monday, due to disagreement over the two issues between the March 8 and 14 forces.
Ministerial sources told the newspaper that some March 14 committee members might express reservations on the issue of resistance despite an agreement to adopt the article based on the one adopted by the previous cabinet of former PM Fouad Saniora.
Signs that majority officials could express reservations over the resistance article appeared on Sunday night amid reports that ministers from the Lebanese Forces and the Phalange and Ministers Boutros Harb and Michel Pharaon held consultations over the issue.
Majority sources told An Nahar that they weren”t satisfied with the article on international resolutions because it only mentions Security Council resolution 1701. They added that the article on the resistance will also be subjected to amendment.
As for the privatization issue, the daily expected March 8 ministers to express reservations or propose amendments to it. The sources told An Nahar that Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas left the committee”s first meeting following a heated argument. The debate could renew on Monday.
Ministerial sources told al-Liwaa daily that the committee could hold consecutive meetings to finish writing the last draft on Thursday. There has been an agreement between President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Hariri to complete the formulation of the policy statement before independence day on November 22.