Introduction to the evening news 18-04-2012

A rare meeting between MP Fouad Siniora and Hezbollah MP Nawaf al-Moussawi in a parliament hall could have broken the ice in heated debate session where tension could be felt at least between Future bloc and Hezbollah MPs. It may seem that this truce was limited to the mentioned two parties and did not include other allies. In fact, a verbal bout erupted between MPs Ahmad Fatfat and Ziad Aswad.

The cooling situation in Nejmeh Squarewas was followed by an attempt to calm the situation amongst syndicates. In fact, Transportation Unions postponed their strike, while the Syndicate of Bakeries canceled theirs. However, one issue is still pending, that of appointments. All the way from Australia, the president declared a stern stance saying that the issue of appointing a head for the Higher Judicial Council is not settled yet, stressing that he is clinging to his position and the mechanism even if Judge Shabtani’s mandate becomes expired.

In Syria, the international mission seems to be walking in a minefield. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem asked for monitors to come from neutral countries. Damascus also refused to provide the mission with helicopters even if it was a U.N. affiliated mission, saying that Syria will provide air transportation if necessary.

Meanwhile, the general parliamentary discussions session kicked off in its second day amid verbal bouts between the majority and the opposition. Given the growing number of MPs asking to take the floor, Speaker Berri hinted at the possibility of holding a session on Saturday.