Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (c), on Feb. 23, 2022, during a meeting of Cabinet at the Grand Serail. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — Cabinet, after studying a waste plan presented by Environment Minister Nasser Yassine, decided on Wednesday to create a commission tasked with finding solutions to issues facing the sector, as trash is starting to accumulate visibly on the sides of roads in many areas of the country.
Here’s what we know:
• During the cabinet meeting at the Grand Serail, Finance Minister Yousef Khalil presented the draft budget for 2022, which Prime Minister Najib Mikati signed today and sent to President Michel Aoun for his signature. When he does, it will be sent to Parliament, where it is expected to be discussed next week.
• The electricity plan prepared by Energy Minister Walid Fayad was not discussed during today’s cabinet session. "The file was studied yesterday and will also be studied tomorrow from the interministerial commission headed by Mikati" said Education Minister and Acting Information Minister Abbas Halabi during a press conference after the session.
• "If the remarks made are taken into consideration and the plan is approved during tomorrow’s meeting, a cabinet session will soon be held at Baabda Palace,” Halabi added.
• While the cabinet was in session, contract teachers from the Lebanese University organized a sit-in near the Grand Serail, demanding a tenure at their jobs. "This question is under study," said Halabi, "Be patient, resume classes and do not opt for escalation measures," he added addressing the teachers.
• Halabi also indicated that the fees for obtaining a Lebanese passport have been modified. A passport valid for five years now costs LL600,000 while the price of one with 10 years of validity rose to LL1,200,000.