Date: Jul 28, 2015
Source: The Daily Star
Lebanon: Salam postpones vital Cabinet session
BEIRUT: Prime Minister Tammam Salam postponed Tuesday a much-anticipated Cabinet session that would tackle the government’s decision-making mechanism, a source at the PM's office told The Daily Star. 

Instead the session will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am, the source added. 

The Cabinet was set to hold an urgent session Tuesday at 11:00 am to discuss the system under which the Cabinet can make decisions in light of the 14-month-old presidential vacuum. 

PM Salam reportedly came under pressure Monday to postpone the crucial Cabinet session to avert a looming confrontation with MP Michel Aoun’s ministers over the controversial issue of the decision-making system and prevent the possible collapse of his embattled government.

Free Patriotic Movement ministers have been pushing for a system that would prevent the executive body from passing any decrees without unanimous support.

Salam has refused such a demand, saying it could allow any party to easily paralyze the Cabinet.

“Postponement of Tuesday’s session is possible to give time for further talks over the decision-making system,” a source close to Salam told The Daily Star Monday night.

The source said resignation was still one of Salam’s options in the face of attempts to paralyze the government. “Resignation is a possible option if obstruction of the Cabinet’s work continued,” he said.