Head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) MP Gebran Bassil took to Twitter to bash the legality of holding a cabinet session in the absence of a president.
Bassil tweeted on Thursday saying: “What’s happening is exactly what we have been warning everybody about over and over again for the past few months.”
“The Caretaker Prime Minister of a cabinet that lacks legitimacy, constitutionality, and charter is calling for a cabinet session, along with whoever backs him up, in the name of force majeure and a pressing agenda of 72 items.”
During Friday’s session, the government is meant to discuss and approve several clauses such as salary increases and social benefits for public sector employees, as well as the release of funds for the armed forces and security services.
Gebran Bassil also criticized less important clauses on the meeting agenda. “This is a blunt provocation and a direct blow to the partnership and the constitution,” he commented.
The FPM Head later added that “even worse, this is happening amid a deafening silence from all the religious and political authorities that claim to hold the Lebanese presidency in high regard and often call for speedy presidential elections.”
“Whoever is worried about the presidential electoral process should not condone such sessions because they aim to further alienate the position until the vacant seat is filled with an imposed candidate,” he noted.
Mikati had previously accused the FPM and its Head of manipulating the media in an attempt to divert attention from their obstructive role in the presidential elections.
