BEIRUT: A Cabinet session concluded Wednesday without delving into divisive issues such as the legality of civil marriages or the controversy surrounding Beirut Port’s fourth basin.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam opened the session by strongly condemning the killing of 26-year-old Jordanian pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kassasbeh, who was burned alive by ISIS militants. A video of his murder was published by ISIS the day earlier.
The premier also denounced the killing of two Japanese hostages who were being held by the militant group, and condemned a Damascus bus blast which killed six Shiite pilgrims Sunday, according to Information Minister Ramzi Joreige who spoke after the meeting.
The highly anticipated discussion about the legality of civil marriage in Lebanon was postponed after it became clear early on that a vast majority of ministers opposed the recognition of such nuptials.
Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk told The Daily Star that he raised the question legalizing civil marriages in Wednesday’s session, but that it had been set aside.
Before the meeting, Minister of State Mohammad Fneish, from Hezbollah, said “there is no place for civil marriage in [Lebanese] laws.”
Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, from the Future Movement, said his party’s stance on the issue remained unchanged since it was opposed by then-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri back in 1998.
Cabinet also did not discuss the fourth basin controversy – making way for Salam to personally launch contacts with relevant parties in an effort to reach a solution.
Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said that the filling of the fourth basin had been halted, pending a solution to be brokered by the prime minister.
Truck drivers Tuesday suspended an open-ended strike that disrupted work at Beirut Port after the premier promised to find a solution to the row over the filling the basin in agreement with all parties.
The decision by port authorities to resume work on the fourth basin had prompted the syndicate of truck drivers to launch an open-ended strike Monday in a bid to pressure the government into permanently halting the controversial project that critics say could jeopardize 1,500 jobs.
A discussion of the current mechanism of Cabinet’s work was also delayed after it was brought up at the start of the session, according to Telecom Minister Boutros Harb.
Harb said that the premier wanted to sound out the views of all ministers and obtain their approval of the voting procedure before formally raising the issue.
The Cabinet, which in addition to its executive powers is also exercising the president’s prerogatives in light of the vacuum in the post, has agreed on a mechanism that requires the approval of all 24 of its members on any key decision or decree. This mechanism has largely hindered the government’s work in view of differences among the ministers.
With controversial issues set aside, Cabinet proceeded to discuss regular agenda items. Ministers debated whether the expenses of state-contracted cleaning services should be deducted from independent municipal funds or the Finance Ministry.
Cabinet postponed the question of the cleaning expenses after agreeing to form a committee that would study the file and submit a proposal to Cabinet. Sources told The Daily Star that the issue was postponed because of disagreement over the dossier.
Cabinet approved Wednesday a request to refer the case of last month’s Jabal Mohsen bombing to the Judicial Council.
Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi told The Daily Star that that he was now preparing to refer the case of Sobhi and Nadimeh Fakhri – a couple murdered in the town of Btedaai last November – to the Judicial Council.
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