Speaker Nabih Berri adjourned the third round of the parliamentary discussion session went until 6 p.m. today. For the second day in a row, the session witnessed escalating verbal bouts and electoral bids between MPs of the majority and those of the opposition. Due to the increasing number of MPs asking to take the floor, House Speaker Nabih Berri hinted at the possibility of holding a session on Saturday.
A verbal bout between Change and Reform MP Ziad Aswad and
Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat broke the calm at the third round of parliamentary
discussion sessions. It erupted after MP Aswad mentioned Samer Doumit and his
affiliation to the Future bloc in the Casino du Liban issue. Speaker Berri intervened immediately to settle the argument.
Another dispute erupted between MP Nawaf Moussawi and MP
Ibrahim Kanaan on one hand and the Future MPs on the other when MP Ammar Houry mentioned appointments at the Ministry of Education.
MP Houry said that
the government involves “consolation prizes, Platonic theories and screenings
of Don Quixotic achievements”. He added that any election taking place in the presence
of “weapons” is a falsification of the citizens’ will.
MP Ziad Aswad stressed that he rejects the project of
monopolizing power and changing the nation’s identity. “Those who are putting
Lebanon at stake are bringing down the uniqueness of the Lebanese regime, the
single entity and coexistence”, he said.
At the beginning of the round, MP Ghazi Zeayter asked the
participants “don’t the sanctions’ items prohibit slandering the Syrian
President or the agreements between Lebanon and Syria?” Zeayter said that Syria
will remain Lebanon’s sister state and the heart of the Arab nation.
For his part, Zahle bloc MP Toni Abou Khater said that it is strange
to see all forms of corruption gather in a government of one political
orientation. “It is unacceptable for differences to become a fundamental part
of the government’s work”, he said.
Future bloc MP Khodr Habib thanked March 8 for their “coup”
through which “they proved that will not undertake any project to construct
Lebanon. Habib said that the Lebanese people will lead the current government
to the “corner” it deserves.
Loyalty to the Resistance MP Ali Fayyad said that it is difficult
to hold this government accountable without looking into the experiences of
previous governments. “We cannot place the onus on this government for all the
problems, for it is suffering from the “legacy” of previous governments”.
Fayyad considered that the opposition is suffering from a “political
Alzheimer”, calling for the establishment of a parliamentary investigation
committee to look into the state’s public accounts.
Change and Reform bloc MP Nabil Nicolas said that the party
that is impoverishing the Lebanese people is still impeding those who committed
themselves to develop and promote the country.
“Where did all the funds evaporate and how did the public
debt reach $60 billion? Where is the Taef agreement? Where was development
under their rule? Where is development in all of Lebanon? Is the heavy legacy
we inherited from their governments bearable?” he asked.
For his part, Future bloc MP Jamal Jarrah accused some ministers of breaching the law, concluding side deals and forging contracts at the time when they allow themselves to give lectures on chastity and reform.
“The requirements of these deals and commissions imposed the conditions of the $ 400 million settlement that occurred at the expense of public funds”, Jarrah added.
Loyalty to the Resistance MP Nawaf al-Moussawi stressed the need to engage in an open dialogue and table all fears stemming from the existence of extra-statle weapons. Al-Moussawi underscored the importance of listening to their partners’ point of view.
Al-Moussawi warned that the region is heading towards division and fragmentation, saying: “An imminent danger is lurking on the horizon and no one wants to believe this”.
MP Amin Wehbe followed Jeser and said that
Lebanon should be protected in this time of great changes. Wehbe voiced
surprised over doubts that were cast over the attempt to assassinate Lebanese
Forces leader Samir Geagea.