Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed the need to elect a new president, adding that the presidential vacuum has been negatively affecting the work of the constitutional institutions.
Salam’s remarks came during a cabinet session held at the Grand Serail, during which the ministers approved granting tenure to 1771 secondary teachers.
As for the issue of the security appointments, Information Minister Ramzi Jreij declared that Defense Minister Samir Moqbel proposed 3 names, but agreement failed to be reached.
From the Serail, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed that he rejects any appointments in the first rank positions before the election of a president, noting that this is a position of principle.
For his part, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab stressed keenness on preserving the rights of the retired teachers who have reached the legal age of retirement.
Prior to the meeting, Minister of State for Administrative Development Nabil de Freij said, “The waste management dossier might be raised during today’s session, but the issue of military appointments is not on the agenda and we will wait for the names to be suggested by Justice Minister Samir Moqbel.”
Environment Minister Mohammad al-Mashouq pointed out that Moqbel will propose the military topics that do not include everyone except for the Higher Defense Council, whose mandate expires this month.
For his part, Sports Minister Abdel Mouttaleb al-Hinawi warned of a military power vacuum, should ministers fail to reach an agreement.
In turn, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said that the session will not be ordinary, either leading to the agreement of “productive results” or ending in a dispute.