Cabinet convenes at Grand Serail under chairmanship of PM Salam

The Lebanese cabinet convened on Thursday at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

During the session, Salam stressed the need to elect a new president “as soon as possible,” noting that the presidential vacuum has negative repercussions on the work of the state.

Following the session, Minister of Information Ramzi Jreij said that the Cabinet approved the request of the Ministry of Interior to enroll 500 General Security servicemen.

He also added that the cabinet approved the establishment of an economic zone in the region of Batroun.

Jreij noted that the cabinet also approved the request submitted by the Ministry of Finance to free the United Nations in-kind donations from some taxes and fees.

Prior to the session, Interior and Municipalities Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that the issue of the prisons will be tackled during the session, noting that he will request funds to build a central prison.

For his part, Agriculture Minister Akram Chouhayeb pointed out that exports will be discussed during next week's session, noting however that the decree pertaining to the amounts of funds allocated to the truck drivers is expected to be signed today.

In turn, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said items related to the state budget will be tackled next Thursday.