Introduction to the evening news 03-02-2012

The decision taken by PM Najib Mikati to suspend the call for cabinet sessions did not create the required shock as no efforts were seen between Verdun and Rabiyeh amid ongoing political bickering. But time is what they are counting on at a time when the official holiday would prompt mediators to make a move, especially as the latest events deepened the government’s stalemate without leading to any solution.       

This improper governmental situation comes at extremely complicated regional and international circumstances that may hit Lebanon. In Syria, the military situation in the field is stable and is facing a tough diplomatic stance with an Arab initiative that did not receive the Russian approval yet. In fact, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov announced that Russia cannot support the draft resolution even with the amendments made to it.           

Meanwhile, Islamists won majority in Kuwait's parliamentary election, prompting two direct implications: first the weakening of the Shiite MPs’ position, second the absence of female representation in the Parliament, unlike the previous Parliament that comprised 4 women.