Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIRUT1845
2007-11-23 13:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: SESSION TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT ADJOURNED TO
how-toP 231316Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0295 INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS BEIRUT 001845
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: SESSION TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT ADJOURNED TO
NOVEMBER 30
UNCLAS BEIRUT 001845
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: SESSION TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT ADJOURNED TO
NOVEMBER 30
1. (SBU) On November 23, the Lebanese Parliament failed to elect a
new president, even with the looming expiration of President
Lahoud's extended mandate, which expires on midnight of November 23.
Some 109 parliamentarians of 127 showed up in Parliament, but only
66 parliamentarians were present inside the Chamber. The session
was quickly adjourned, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri
announced that another session was scheduled for November 30.
2. (U) Deputy Speaker of Parliament Farid Makkari, on behalf of the
March 14 alliance, read a prepared statement in which he indicated
that the majority is "committed to the requirements of national
stability and will neither take a position that will threaten
stability nor will it give up on its constitutional right to elect a
new president." He also indicated that a boycott of the session
would represent a clear violation of the Constitution.
3. (SBU) Prior to the postponement of the session, majority leader
MP Saad Hariri and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt met separately with
Speaker Berri at his office. This is the first meeting between
Jumblatt and Berri for more than a year. Minister of Information
Ghazi Aridi, a Jumblatt ally, told us that the meeting was brief and
the discussion focused on preserving the security and stability of
the country. Following the meeting Jumblatt made a public statement
which emphasized consensus and expressed his commitment to the
Lebanese Constitution.
FELTMAN
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: SESSION TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT ADJOURNED TO
NOVEMBER 30
1. (SBU) On November 23, the Lebanese Parliament failed to elect a
new president, even with the looming expiration of President
Lahoud's extended mandate, which expires on midnight of November 23.
Some 109 parliamentarians of 127 showed up in Parliament, but only
66 parliamentarians were present inside the Chamber. The session
was quickly adjourned, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri
announced that another session was scheduled for November 30.
2. (U) Deputy Speaker of Parliament Farid Makkari, on behalf of the
March 14 alliance, read a prepared statement in which he indicated
that the majority is "committed to the requirements of national
stability and will neither take a position that will threaten
stability nor will it give up on its constitutional right to elect a
new president." He also indicated that a boycott of the session
would represent a clear violation of the Constitution.
3. (SBU) Prior to the postponement of the session, majority leader
MP Saad Hariri and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt met separately with
Speaker Berri at his office. This is the first meeting between
Jumblatt and Berri for more than a year. Minister of Information
Ghazi Aridi, a Jumblatt ally, told us that the meeting was brief and
the discussion focused on preserving the security and stability of
the country. Following the meeting Jumblatt made a public statement
which emphasized consensus and expressed his commitment to the
Lebanese Constitution.
FELTMAN