Prime Minister Najib Mikati is expected to invite ministers to a government meeting today, but it is unclear whether the unexpected visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to Beirut will lead to any changes, especially since the purpose of his visit remains unknown. Through WhatsApp, the Prime Minister sent the agenda, asking the ministers for their feedback. However, to date, the ministers have not responded, amid ministerial predictions that if the session takes place, it will see the participation of additional ministers, such as Minister Amin Salam, while sources from the Shiite duo expect adjustments to the agenda items.
Initially, Mikati's approach was to communicate with ministers as he did with the President, sending a draft agenda to the ministers as a collective body, thereby allowing the ministers of the Free Patriotic Movement to see the proposed items. Indeed, Mikati submitted an agenda consisting of eight numbered items, each with a set of issues to be addressed, including issuing decrees regarding the transfer of funds to various administrations for social assistance, salaries, transportation allowances, and payments owed to Electricité du Liban. However, it was anticipated that all items aside from the electricity issue would be removed as they are not urgent.
While Hezbollah has decided to have its ministers participate in the session scheduled for next week to address the fuel ship issue, it remains unclear if this participation is contingent on having a specific item on the agenda or if Hezbollah ministers will withdraw afterward. Sources close to the situation said that ministers will participate in the session primarily for the urgent electricity item and that efforts will continue to persuade Mikati to accept this framework to avoid further crises.
Nevertheless, the refusal of the Free Patriotic Movement to convene the session, even for the electricity file, remains a central problem, with Hezbollah attempting to balance the satisfaction of the FPM with the need to address urgent matters requiring a government meeting. It is likely that a solution will be reached that satisfies everyone, with Hezbollah finding a way to reconcile both sides; otherwise, tensions may escalate since the FPM insists on not allowing Mikati to govern in the absence of a president, arguing that the participation of Hezbollah ministers would legitimize Mikati at the expense of Christians.
However, governmental sources questioned the difference between convening a cabinet meeting to discuss one item or multiple items on the agenda, expressing surprise that holding a government session is seen as diminishing the President's powers while issuing decrees does not undermine his authority, noting that the Prime Minister’s signature falls within the President’s domain in both cases.
Sources affirm that the session's topic is still under discussion and that all items listed in the distributed agenda are urgent. The issue lies not in the agenda but in the unjustified obstinacy. They insist that the Prime Minister will not sign decrees casually and question whether obstructing through obstinacy serves the country's interests or if it leads to electing a president and holding the other parties accountable. They wonder whether it is the Prime Minister or the Cabinet that is obstructing the presidential election.
The sources express astonishment at some major Christian leaders who appear to apply a double standard regarding the government, publicly opposing its work while supporting it behind the scenes, talking about sectarianism to obscure the fundamental issue: the failure of Christian MPs to elect a president. They assert, "Those who brag about the President’s powers should go elect a President."
Government sources denied leaks regarding the Prime Minister's intention to step back, confirming that he continues to fulfill his duties and responsibilities. They concluded that the problem lies not in holding a Cabinet session but with the Prime Minister himself.
It has been learned that the agreement reached last night stipulates that Mikati will send a new version of the agenda including only one item related to the electricity file and its derivatives, with ministers being invited to a session based on that. However, this arrangement is unlikely to satisfy the FPM, which will continue its opposition, leading to the ongoing crisis with the Prime Minister and the Shiite duo, particularly Hezbollah, as they believe it would make them complicit in undermining the Christian covenant during the meeting.
