Berri versus Hariri
Lebanon, Politics, 10/2/1997

It has been noticed , since the last cabinet meeting and the refusal of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's economic plan, that the relationship between Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Hariri has deteriorated. Speaker Berri campaigned openly against the Prime Minister's economic plan.

There are indications that the ramification of this rift between the two officials may be having an effect on government functions.

Hariri has avoided responding publicly to statements by the Berri camp in order not to inflame the political situation. Individuals in the Berri camp are accusing Hariri of responding politically by cutting the resources of the ministries of housing and of social affairs, which are both run by members of the Amal movement presided by Berri. They put aside the alternative of an imminent meeting between the two leaders.

Yet, some newspapers reported that Berri's sources reaffirmed his support for Hariri's political and economic views and claimed that he opposed him on the ground of the social issues only. These same sources also stated, that there was nothing personal about the discord.

Previous Stories:
  Boueiz: Israeli talks should be restarted from where they left off   (10/1/1997)
  Berri in Damascus meets with Assad   (9/29/1997)
  Journalists told to be polite when reporting impoliteness   (9/24/1997)

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