Confidence Vote Debate Starts, Hariri: Cabinet Faces Test of People”s Trust
Lebanon”s debate on a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his 30-member Cabinet started in Parliament on Tuesday.
"Cabinet faces a test of people”s trust," said Hariri prior to reading the Cabinet policy statement.
He said "success cannot only be achieved through a coalition government, but through a government of principles and goals."
Hariri stressed the "unity and authority of the state as well as the sole authority on all issues related to the country”s general policy."
The policy statement said the government is "determined to prevent all forms of tampering with civil peace and security," emphasizing that military and security decisions will solely remain in the hands of the state.
On the issue of resistance and arms, the statement said the government affirms the right of Lebanon – its people, army and resistance — to "liberate or recover" Shabaa Farms, Kfar Shouba Hills and the Lebanese part of the border town of Ghajar; to defend Lebanon against any aggression and to uphold Lebanon”s right to water through legitimate means available.
It said the government is committed to U.N. Resolution 1701 and is determined to agree to a unified position on a comprehensive national defense strategy to safeguard Lebanon.
He said the government looks forward to seeing improvement in "brotherly" relations between Lebanon and Syria.
The statement called for the implementation of decisions adopted by Lebanese parties during National Dialogue Committee meetings concerning the handover of weapons in Palestinian refugee camps.
Sixty-five lawmakers will get a chance to speak out during the three-day vote of confidence process.
The vote, due Thursday, will decide the fate of Hizbullah arms in Hariri”s government.
Hariri”s Cabinet is likely to win a landslide parliamentary vote of confidence.