Hariri optimistic about budget talks

Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri reviewed expenses in the $800 million 1998 budget during their meeting in Ein-El-Tineh, yesterday night. Attended by ministers Fuad Sagnura and Yassin Jaber and MPs Khalil Hrawi, Anwar Khalil and Mohamed Youssef Beidoun, the meeting lasted three and a half hours.

Another meeting will follow this evening, to discuss revenues sources. Indications are that the meeting was more positive than anyone had expected. Hariri's statement after the discussions confirmed these reports. "The atmosphere was very positive and very frank… It is more than the start of an understanding."