Trouble amidst the government due to failed passage of economic plan
Lebanon, Economics, 9/27/1997

A series of announcements yesterday followed the cabinet's decision to reject the economic plan proposed by Prime Minister Hariri. The first repercussion on practical grounds came from the minister of the displaced, Walid Joumblat, who announced that his ministry will stop its work until funds are available. On political grounds, President Elias Hrawi reaffirmed his backing of the plan and expressed resentfulness that the plan wasn't passed despite its importance. Speaker Nabih Berri, on the other hand, congratulated the cabinet for its decision, saying that it has saved the government. "If the project would have been passed," he said, "people would have been on the streets now."

Berri reconfirmed his refusal to increase the price of petrol, but expressed his support for the prime minister on political grounds. Berri also denied the accusation that he pushed some ministers to oppose the plan. Former prime minister Salim Hoss attacked the proposed plan while the president of the Free Nationalists party, Dory Shamaoun, mocked the rumors of Hariri's possible resignation.

Previous Stories:
  Former Prime Minister Hoss attacks the $800 million regional development plan   (9/26/1997)
  Hariri cools the situation down   (9/25/1997)

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