Before the eighth meeting of the committee in charge of drafting the ministerial statement convened, Information Minister Tarek Mitri told NOW Lebanon that he saw three options for the opposition on the Resistance weapons clause.

The first one, Mitri said, would include “the state’s right to liberate its territories.” The second option was the adoption of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman’s inaugural speech, and the third was postponing the discussion until the national roundtable dialogue.

A number of ministers drew out the issue of state authority and the role of the Resistance. Minister of State Nassib Lahoud in turn expressed his belief in the need to strengthen the role of state.

Finance Minister Mohammed Chattah said that discussions on Friday had included details on finding procedures to take advantage of the Resistance’s power and experience.

Minister of State Wael Abu Faour noted that political leaders are communicating outside the committee in order to reach agreement.

 Minister of Labor Mohammed Fneish confirmed that the “March 8 coalition” had insisted on the adoption of the ministerial statement of the former cabinet.

Minister of State Youssef Takla said he believed President Sleiman had the right to “get angry” because of the delay of the ministerial statement’s formation.

-NOW Staff