Last meeting yields agreement and specific results

The conflict between Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri ended yesterday, after a fourth meeting sponsored by president Elias Hrawi in Baabda. Berri and Hariri held a press conference announcing the reconciliation and stating the six points that were agreed upon during the meeting. These six points, put in writing, include:

1- Holding municipal and mayoral elections as soon as possible, and no later than next April.

2- Enforcing administrative and financial supervision of all public institutions as well as funds financed by the government.

3- Rotating senior civil service employees in public institutions so that no post will be reserved for a specific sect.

4- Prohibiting the employment of civil servants without prior approval of the civil service council or the cabinet, with priority to fill vacancies given to those already employed by the government.

5- In approaching first-rank civil servants, such as directors-general, priority will be given to employees of that department, who would be promoted to the posts to eliminate appointments on nepotistic or allegiance basis.

6- Forging ahead with the establishment of the Central Bureau of Medicines, whose task will be to regulate the import of medicines and control their prices.

Asked about the controversial Article 9, the speaker answered that it was going to be discussed again, with Hariri’s approval, for the benefit of the people. It was agreed, however, that the percentage of the budget deficit will be maintained, said Berri.