The debate between Baabda and Rabieh over the
presidential prerogatives and the 8.9 trillion LBP issue will likely refreeze the
suspended ministerial issues on the eve of a busy week that will witness two
cabinet sessions.
Shortly after General Michel Aoun announced on Facebook and Twitter that
“the
experience does not encourage the acceptance of another consensual president
and rather than the president beg at [the door of] some ministers, he should
have a parliamentary bloc”, the president counterattacked on Twitter, saying “at
least a consensual president does not beg for the presidency. On the contrary,
everyone asks him to accept the post of president.”
Since nothing comes by coincidence in Lebanese politics,
it seems that the statements put forth by General Aoun are not isolated in time
and space but rather annexed to a plan that started to emerge after the cabinet
had won the confidence vote. Aoun pointed out the plan in his statements after
the latest Change and Reform bloc meeting, a plan that apparently implies stepping
up the political campaign against Sleiman. In fact, MP Simon Abi Ramia
announced today that Sleiman is covering up for the Future Movement with
regards to the overspending issue while MP Nabil Nicolas said “if the president
does not consider himself begging [for the post], let him sign the 8.9 trillion
LBP.”
Besides this long-simmering issue, the cabinet is
ahead of a week busy with syndical and daily-living issues, topped by the issues
of social security and the increase in hospital fees as well as the position of
private companies on that increase.
As for the Syrian issue, the head of the International
Red Cross Committee was on the precipice of mourning Annan’s initiative as he
announced that the peace plan is in the danger zone.