LEBANON: CABINET WINS CONFIDENCE VOTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001188 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK AND PDAS WARLICK USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/MCDERMOTT E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: CABINET WINS CONFIDENCE VOTE Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. William K. Grant for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) In the final step to form the new government, the cabinet obtained the Lebanese Parliament's vote of confidence on August 12. Of the 107 MPs in attendance, 100 voted in favor of the cabinet and accompanying cabinet statement (parliament currently has 127 members). The five days of sessions were businesslike for the most part, interrupted on occasion by some heated debates between March 8 and March 14 deputies. Hizballah attempted to institute what one majority MP termed "reign of terror," preventing discussion on its arms and the May, 2008 clashes, though March 14 triumphed at times in its deputies' speeches. MP Hussein Husseini surprised the attendees when he announced his resignation, citing disgust with a "lack of respect" for the constitution. ¶2. (C) In his response speech at the conclusion of the deputies' remarks, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora asserted that his government is not at odds with anyone and its top priority will be to ensure security. After President Sleiman's August 13-14 trip to Damascus, the cabinet will hold its first meeting, during which it will take up consideration of candidates to vacant senior-level positions, notably the Lebanese Armed Forces commander. End summary. OVERALL CALM, WITH A FEW HEATED DEBATES -------------- ¶3. (C) After nearly 20 months of not meeting, except to elect President Sleiman on May 25, parliament began the first of five sessions debating the ministerial statement ("bayan wizari") on August 8. Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun was the first of 62 deputies to deliver a speech. He criticized the distinction the cabinet statement makes between the "people, the army, and the resistance," calling all Lebanese citizens part of the "resistance" to defend Lebanese sovereignty. Aoun also raised the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, blaming the Americans and French for the creation of the refugee situation and questioning the commitment of other Arab countries to find a solution. In addition, Aoun criticized the government for not doing more to find Lebanese missing in Lebanon and Syria, in what appeared to be an appeal to draw Christian support away from his Christian rival in the majority, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. ¶4. (C) Most sessions were businesslike, but there occasional heated debates between March 14 and March 8 MPs over Hizballah's weapons and its involvement in the May clashes. March 14 Druze MP Wael Abu Faour told CDA Grant in an August 13 meeting that a "reign of terror" prevailed during the sessions, with Hizballah attempted to prevent any discussion on these two topics. ¶5. (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reportedly intervened on numerous occasions to calm the tension and attempted to limit provocative statements. Abu Faour said that Berri appeared to support Hizballah, his Shia allies, while at the same time seemed content to see them attacked. MP Yassine Jaber told LES Senior Political Advisor that Berri and Hizballah SYG Hassan Nasrallah had tried (unsuccessfully) to limit the speeches delivered by both parties to only one representative in order to limit fiery statements. ¶6. (C) Abu Faour lamented that no March 14 MPs addressed the issue of its "martyrs", ie. members who have been assassinated since 2005, calling it a "missed opportunity." 100 OUT OF 107 VOTE FOR CABINET -------------- ¶7. (U) Seven MPs who were present did not vote in favor of the government and its cabinet statement. Many were pro-government MPs who we assess were unhappy with the language in the cabinet statement on "the resistance" BEIRUT 00001188 002 OF 002 (Hizballah). The seven were Ossama Saad (March 8),Atef Majdalani (Future Movement),Bahije Tabbarah (independent), Solange Gemayel (March 14) and Mohammed Kabbarah (Tripoli bloc),who voted against the cabinet statement, while Ghassan Tueini (March 14) and Elias Atallah (Democratic Left and March 14) abstained. Aoun was notably absent from the voting. Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblatt voted. MP HUSSEINI RESIGNS? -------------- ¶8. (SBU) MP Hussein Al Husseini, a former Speaker and an independent Shia tied to Amal, surprised parliament when he announced his intention to resign during his address. Husseini, a veteran legislator seen as the "godfather" of the Taif agreement, criticized the lack of respect for the constitution, the "low level" of political speeches, "contradictions of political choices in the same government," and sidelining of parliamentary procedures. ¶9. (C) MP Boutros Harb speculated to LES Senior Political Advisor that Husseini was aware that he was unlikely to be chosen by Hizballah to run for his seat in the 2009 parliamentary elections, and therefore had opted to leave politics with pride. Abu Faour told CDA Grant that several in the government may attempt to convince him to finish out his term, obviating the need for a by-election. (Note: Husseini reportedly plans to submit his written resignation August 13, after which there is a 15-day delay before parliament decides whether to accept the resignation. Only three resignations have been tendered in Lebanon's history. End note.) According to local newspaper daily An-Nahar, Berri met with Husseini following his announcement, to discuss the reasons behind his resignation. SECURITY IS MAIN PRIORITY FOR SINIORA'S CABINET -------------- ¶10. (U) In his response speech at the conclusion of the deputies' remarks, Siniora asserted that his government is not at odds with anyone and pledged to work for reconciliation. He further stressed that his government will be impartial during the 2009 parliamentary elections. Referring to the national unity government, Siniora reminded the deputies that democracy is based on the concept of "the majority rules, and the minority opposes." ¶11. (U) Siniora said that his government's top priority is security, while declaring the northern city of Tripoli a town "in distress." He called for the formation of a team to resolve the issues plaguing Tripoli. (Note: His remarks came one day before an explosion hit a civilian bus, killing at least 18 people, including Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers. End note.) FULL FLEDGED CABINET -------------- ¶12. (U) The process to form a new government is now complete, and the cabinet is expected to hold its first meeting shortly after the return of President Sleiman from his August 13-14 trip to Damascus. The cabinet will have to address several pressing issues, including the appointment of several senior-level positions including the LAF commander and four Central Bank vice-governors. GRANT