On Monday, Lebanon’s interim government held a session to discuss a range of social and economic issues, the first for the government since the republic’s presidency fell vacant late last October.
The government approved a series of financial requests in an extraordinary session chaired by Najib Mikati, after a quorum was reached and 17 out of 24 ministers attended.
Mikati said, “Today’s government session is exceptional, as it is related to securing the rights of cancer and dialysis patients,” adding, “Without this file, we would not have convened this session and we will continue to support them.”
The session was also attended by the Minister of Industry, George Boushkian, and the Minister of Social Affairs, Hector Al-Hajjar, after announcing that they would not attend the meeting along with other ministers affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement and Representative Talal Arslan .
Yesterday, Sunday, 9 Lebanese ministers announced their refusal to invite the interim prime minister to a cabinet meeting.
And the nine ministers believe – in a statement – that the constitution does not allow the caretaker government to assume the powers of the President of the Republic, while it lacks constitutional powers and parliamentary trust. He has not won the trust of the current parliament.
In today’s session, the government approved a request from the Banque du Liban to pay 35 million dollars for the purchase of medicines and infant formula.
It also approved welfare assistance for military personnel and retirees, estimated at double the salary, and approved the transfer of 26 million dollars from the accounts of the Ministry of Communications to the interest of the “Ogero” (government) entity which manages the communications sector telecommunications in the country.
Since last June, political differences in the country have prevented the formation of a new government led by Mikati, after the parliament reassigned him to this post, following the resignation of his government during the elections parliamentarians last May.
Since last September, MPs have failed to elect a new president to succeed Michel Aoun, whose term expired on October 31, despite holding 8 parliamentary sessions to that end.
This crisis in Lebanon is unprecedented, without a president for the country, a provisional government with limited powers and a parliament divided over different options.
