for not debating the issue of the duties of the deputy PM position during the meeting. Abu Jamra , who abruptly stormed out of the meeting held a press conference in which he said that he left the cabinet meeting because the topic of DPM was not on the agenda of the meeting . He said that one of the topics was that the deputy PM should really be a deputy to the Prime Minister. He said the DPM should replace the PM when absent . He added that his attendance in the future cabinet meetings would depend on this issue.

In other developments :

- The reconciliation effort suffered a setback yesterday as a result of the exchange of accusations between former Prime Minister Omar Karami and the Lebanese Forces. MP Farid Habib of the Lebanese Forces accused former PM Karami of being "the criminal and murderer who paralyzed the army, controlled the state, opened the door for foreigners and allowed massacres in Beit Millat, Tal Abbas, Damour, Al-Qaa and other villages". On the other hand Karami said: Geagea’s apology for the assassination of former PM Rashid Karami would not bring him back. we will not forgive and we will not forget. He added " Geagea’s apology meant nothing, personally or politically...for us Geagea remains a murderer and a criminal. He later told As Safir : there will be no reconciliation between me and ( Lebanese Forces leader Samir ) Geagea under any circumstances.

- The issue of the International Tribunal continues to be in focus . Yesterday former Ambassador Johnny Abdo told As Sayyad: The results of the International investigation ( Hariri Tribunal) will cause locally an earthquake bigger than the hurricane caused by the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri.

Wednesday

21:56 MP Geagea : I really don’t understand (former ) minister Franjiyeh and I ask why have matters become so complicated and who is really complicating them

20:18 The security coordination committee in Ain el Helweh camp was able to arrange a cease fire and is currently investigating the incident

20:11 Two injured in clashes between armed men from the Fatah mainstream and Jund el-Sham in Ain el-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp

14:20 FPM leader Michel Aoun received U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams.

14:10 Parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee discussed MP Robert Ghanem’s proposal that calls for Constitutional Council to monitor and explain the constitution .
13:31 Jumblatt said that PSP will campaign in the parliamentary election in a civilized way without using the Lebanese streets,” . He also downplayed the possibility of violence and stressed that there will be no change in alliances for 2009 elections

13:16 VOL: Military prosecutor Rashid Mezher is studying the possibility of sending confiscated pipes to French laboratories following their clearance of radioactive materials in Lebanon.


11:49 Minister Mario Aoun told LBC: The Change and Reform bloc is in solidarity with Abu Jamra and we will discuss boycotting cabinet meetings. He accused the prime minister and ministers of “procrastination and negligence” regarding the deputy PM powers.

10:46 MP Chamel Mozaya told Hezbollah's al-Manar TV: The March 14 alliance is breaking down, and they will not only lose the majority in the next elections, but will also be held accountable. He said that Iran is country that supports Lebanon and all the Lebanese, without any distinction.

10:13 Reuters : “Colombia broke up a drug and money-laundering ring in an international operation that included the capture of three people suspected of shipping funds to Hezbollah "

09:30 Gasoline prices drop 1,500 LL ( $1.00) and diesel prices drop 1,300 LL ( 85 cents ) per 20 liters .

8:30 Beirut roads are flooded following heavy rains and members of the Internal Security Forces struggled to keep roads open.

07:30 Welch told As Sharq al Awsat: The steps taken by Syria with regards to diplomatic relations are not enough and our concern about its politics are on the increase

06:46 Ambassador Johnny Abdo told As Sayyad: The results of the International investigation ( Hariri Tribunal) will cause locally an earthquake bigger than the hurricane caused by the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri. He accused former president Emile lahoud of committing treason . He also said when Aoun was in Paris his goal was to return to Lebanon as a Charles de Gaulle, but after he returned his goal was to be another Lahoud )

06:24 As safir : Minister Gibran Bassil told PM Siniora that Abu Jamra is asking for the same deal that Issam fares and Michel Murr had before him and wants a decree issued to define his duties
ه

06:22 Minister Najjar: There is no real position that is called a Deputy Prime minister ...it is an honorary position .

06:06 Ministerial source told as Safir : The duties of the Deputy Prime minister requires a constitutional amendment, the way to do is well known and what Abu Jamra did yesterday will not lead to any results .

06:00 Abu Jamra told as Safir : I decided to boycott the cabinet meetings from now and will not participate unless article the amendment of article 2552 is listed on the agenda of a cabinet meeting for discussion and amendment

Tuesday

22:08 Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra said during a press conference that he left the cabinet meeting because the topic of DPM was not on the agenda of the meeting . He said that one of the topics was that the deputy PM should really be a deputy to the Prime Minister. He said the DPM should replace the PM when absent . He added that his attendance in the future cabinet meetings would be related to this issue.

21:19 Chamoun accused Aoun of marginalizing Christians and Lebanese state. He said that the voters of Jbeil, Kesrouan and Metn were misled during the 2005 parliamentary elections by Aoun who was portrayed as the “Christian savior” from Syrian control. “Aoun is ready to ally with the devil in order to reach power,... Aoun marginalized the Christians, ... he marginalized the Lebanese state." He said
Chamoun said the Iranians could not come to Lebanon and impose their state.( In reference to Wilayat al Faqih type rule)

21:11 Deputy PM Issam Abu Jamra leaves cabinet meeting to protest against the lack of discussion of the duties of Deputy PM

20:55 Siniora heads cabinet meeting at the Grand Serail. Ministers Elias al-Murr, Nasib Lahoud, Elie Marouni, Talal Arslan, Elias Skaf, and Ghazi Zeiter, were absent .

20:32 OTV reports a verbal dispute between Deputy PM Issam Abu Jamra and Communication Minister Gebran Bassil on one side, and PM Fouad Siniora on the other over the rights and powers of the deputy PM, during the cabinet meeting.

19:16 MP Farid Habib ( LF) accused former PM Karami of being "the criminal and murderer who paralyzed the army, controlled the state, opened the door for foreigners and allowed massacres in Beit Millat, Tal Abbas, Damour, Al-Qaa and other villages".
He also said "Franjieh and his supporters are requested to prove their innocence to hundreds of families for the crimes and violations...". He added "the best reconciliation Franjiyeh could offer in Lebanon is freeing himself from the foreign imprisonment imposed on him", a reference to accusations of Syrian influence on Marada.

18:30 Karami: Geagea’s apology for the assassination of former PM Rashid Karami would not bring him back. we will not forgive and we will not forget. He added " Geagea’s apology meant nothing, personally or politically...for us Geagea remains a murderer and a criminal

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