In protest of amending the constitution, Hariri does not rule out a government reshuffle
Lebanon, Politics, 9/7/2004

Lebanon's prime minister Rafic Hariri announced the possibility of making a reshuffle on his government as from September 17 after four ministers including 3 from the Democratic Gathering bloc led by the Druz leader Walid Junblat gave their resignation in protest of amending the constitution.

This came following an urgent meeting held by Hariri with the President Emil Lahoud and the speaker of parliament Nabih berri to discuss the future of his government which has been split since its vote on a decision permiting extending the term of office for Lahoud for a 3 year term of office.

Minister of the environment in the Lebanese government Fares Bueiz was the first to announce his resignation and Bueiz described in a press conference the constitutional amendment as making several gaps and weakened the Lebanese position before foreign pressures, as he alleged.

Bueiz's resignation was followed by that of the three ministers of Trade and commerce, Culture and the expatriates.

Despite the fact that the resignation of the four ministers destabilizes the government, yet it does not force it to resign because what is wanted constitutionally is one third of its members, ten ministers, to resign so as the government is considered disolved.

Previous Stories:
  Lahoud for closer ties between Lebanon and Syria   (9/6/2004)
  Syria's information minister and the recent UN security Council resolution 1559   (9/6/2004)
  UN Security Council calls for withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon   (9/4/2004)
  Lebanon defies the UN security council, extends Lahoud's presidency   (9/4/2004)
  Syria: UN security council voting over Lebanon's sovereignty is unjustified   (9/2/2004)

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