FPM MPs officially request question-and-session in Parliament on cabinet

BEIRUT — Free Patriotic Movement MPs sent an official letter to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday asking him to summon the Parliament for a session on the cabinet, which has not met since Oct. 12.

Here’s what we know:

    • In a document signed by ten deputies from the Strong Bloc, including Free Patriotic Movement’s leader Gebran Bassil, MPs stressed the need to hold a “question-and-answer session,” since they believe the cabinet should commence work to “stop the collapse and face the crises” facing Lebanon.

    • This request comes a day after FPM's appeal against amendments to the electoral law was invalidated due to the Constitutional Council’s failure to reach a decision on the matter. The electoral law is now in effect in the form passed by Parliament.

    • The Shiite ministers have boycotted the government for more than two months and demand that measures be taken against Judge Tarek Bitar, in charge of the investigation into the Aug. 4 blast. Hezbollah has accused Judge Bitar of "politicizing" the investigation.

    • Commenting on the blockage in government, Mikati said on Monday that calling for a meeting with the Council of Ministers “without agreement between ministers is not desirable ... I will not go towards a scenario that will put us face to face with cabinet resignations.”

    • President Michel Aoun called on Mikati to meet with his cabinet last week, even if it were to be boycotted.