Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s decision to convene a plenary session next Tuesday and Wednesday for a debate on the government’s general policy has caught several political camps by surprise.Many see the timing as particularly awkward. The government is struggling to deliver the progress Lebanese citizens have been hoping for, southern Lebanon remains under Israeli bombardment, and direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel appear to have stalled [although an eighth round of talks now appears to be scheduled for Sept. 15 and 16 in Rome]. The announcement also comes as retired military personnel have taken to the streets to protest their meager benefits, at a time when meeting even some of their demands would be extremely difficult.Given the complexity of the situation, MPs could use the session — which is generally broadcast live —...
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s decision to convene a plenary session next Tuesday and Wednesday for a debate on the government’s general policy has caught several political camps by surprise.Many see the timing as particularly awkward. The government is struggling to deliver the progress Lebanese citizens have been hoping for, southern Lebanon remains under Israeli bombardment, and direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel appear to have stalled [although an eighth round of talks now appears to be scheduled for Sept. 15 and 16 in Rome]. The announcement also comes as retired military personnel have taken to the streets to protest their meager benefits, at a time when meeting even some of their demands would be extremely difficult.Given the complexity of the situation, MPs could use the session — which is generally broadcast...
