BEIRUT: The Cabinet averted a new political crisis Wednesday after ministers decided to place their differences aside over Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.
During the session, ministers also voiced their "commitment to preserving national interests by continuing the Cabinet’s work" uninterrupted, Information Minister Ramzi Joreige told reporters in a news conference after the meeting.
Cabinet ministers renewed their commitment to the government after cracks within Lebanon’s Cabinet emerged Monday with Industry Minister Hussein Hajj Hasan, who is a member of Hezbollah, criticizing Salam’s speech at the annual Arab League summit, arguing it justified the “aggression on Yemen and its people.”
Salam raised the issue of the Arab League summit during Wednesday’s session, saying that his position expressed Lebanon’s “keenness on Arab solidarity and strengthening the relationship with Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia,” Joreige said.
The premier also said that his remarks conveyed Lebanon’s insistence on distancing itself from regional conflicts, the information minister added.
Salam also discussed the donor summit for Syrian refugees, which took place in Kuwait Monday, and informed ministers of donations pledged to the refugees in Lebanon.
The Cabinet also appointed Mount Lebanon Governor Fouad Fleifel as the Cabinet’s new secretary-general following the retirement of current Secretary-General Suhail Bouji.
After the meeting, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi said the industry minister raised his objection to the government’s position on the Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen. He also inquired about the roles played by Turkey and Pakistan in sparking the conflict, while neglecting the role played by Iran, Rifi added.
Hajj Hasan told reporters after the meeting that the Cabinet’s position should be decided when ministers convene.
Joreige said that Salam was “positive and understanding” in his response to the Hezbollah minister’s objections.
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