Introduction to the evening news 29-04-2012

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.