Introduction to the evening news 22-02-2012

It’s complicated: The parliament supposed to save the cabinet from deadlock has become the deadlock.

What happened? What’s the reality?

Two issues stand out, that of the resignation of Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas and the draft law to allocate 8.9 trillion LBP to cover expenses, have become intertwined.

In regard to the first issue, Nahhas’ resignation was not formally submitted to the Serail prompting some to believe that it might be some kind of maneuver.

Pertaining to the 8.9 trillion LBP issue, Speaker Nabih Berri proposed that the sum in question be traded with the $11 billion that were spent during Siniora’s tenure. Berri’s proposal was well received by both PM Najib Mikati and MP Walid Jumblatt.

At this point everyone was facing trouble, albeit at different levels. General Michel Aoun was cornered. He had to play the Nahhas resignation card without any guarantees in return. The guarantee that he was betting on was the adoption of the transportation fees draft law of MP Ibrahim Kenaan.

PM Mikati is backing the 8.9 trillion LBP law, while MP Siniora along with opposition MPs wish to divorce themselves from the $11 billion.

The exit was to postpone the session until tomorrow, waiting for the fruits that will be borne by the Rabieh, Ain Al Tineh and Verdun contacts.

Minister Nahhas, who remained media shy on Tuesday and Wednesday, made a brief appearance in front of his residence in Ashrafieh and delivered a speech in which he attacked the government, the economic bodies and the GLC. Nahhas urged citizens to demonstrate in front of parliament “because the issue goes beyond political lineups.”