Committee Meeting Marred by Harb-Bassil Clash, 9th Session to Finalize Political Chapter
The ministerial committee”s eighth meeting on the policy statement was marred by a dispute between ministers Boutros Harb and Jebran Bassil, An Nahar daily reported Wednesday.
The committee resumes its discussions on Wednesday as media reports said the ninth session is expected to finalize the political chapter even if the policy statement was drafted amid reservations by some parties.
Information Minister Tareq Mitri said, however, that there might be a need for a 10th session on Thursday to put the final touches on the statement.
An Nahar said that Harb and Bassil exchanged accusations during Tuesday”s meeting that dealt with the resistance issue and Lebanese-Syrian ties.
As Safir daily, in its turn, said Minister Salim al-Sayegh, who represents the Phalange party in the cabinet, and Harb held onto their reservations.
Meanwhile, Premier Saad Hariri, who is trying to convince majority Christian ministers not to have reservations over the resistance article in the statement, tried to appease both sides. He held a meeting with Hizbullah representative Minister Mohammed Fneish and then with Harb and Sayegh.
Hariri also made an attempt to convince Phalange leader Amin Gemayel and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea to agree to a consensus policy statement.