Lebanese Minister: Disarmament Plan Is American
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, Mohammad Haider, Lebanon’s Shiite Minister of Labor, told Al-Manar TV that Shiite ministers walked out of the cabinet meeting to reject discussion of an American-backed document within the government.
He added that the army commander will present his plan during the government session, and they are awaiting its results before making any decisions. Contacts on this matter continue.
Mohammad Haider said, ”We will wait to see what happens in the session and then decide. Any decision made without representatives of the Shiite community is illegal.”
The Lebanese minister emphasized, “We did not discuss anything related to the army’s plan; we left baabda Palace and will not return to this session.”
He explained that after debating four other agenda items, cabinet discussions reached the point regarding the army’s plan, prompting Shiite ministers to exit.
Rakan Nassereddine and Mohammad Haider were among those who left lebanon’s presidential palace main hall-the site of this meeting-and moved to an adjacent room.
The Lebanese Council of ministers convened at Baabda Palace a short time ago with president Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam present. The meeting focuses on reviewing a proposal by the army aiming for exclusive government control over weapons.
Al-Mayadeen network reported a bilateral meeting between Nawaf Salam and Michel Aoun took place ahead of this cabinet session.
