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Hariri Cabinet Wins Confidence Vote, Arms File Avoided | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Parliament on Wednesday/NNA


Beirut- With an easy majority, the new cabinet of Prime Minister Saad Hariri received on Wednesday the confidence vote of 87 out of 92 deputies who attended a parliament session to discuss the ministerial statement.

Four MPs withheld their vote of confidence, including the Phalange Party and MP Khaled Daher, while one deputy refrained from voting.

Prior to the voting operation, Hariri had responded to the interventions of 22 deputies who discussed the ministerial statement. Hariri announced his government would take the MPs remarks into consideration, but admitted there still are controversial topics, on top of which the issue of the spread of arms, which shall be included within the country’s defense strategy plan.

“We do realize that there is a major disagreement over this item, and thus the importance of sitting down and tackling this matter,” Hariri said.

The prime minister asserted that all the political forces within the government want a new electoral law to be drafted, respecting women’s quota.

Hariri spoke about a positive atmosphere prevailing over the country. “There is a true sense of cooperation, because the political forces have all reached a place where they realized that we cannot move forward in this country unless we reach consensus,” he said.

Hariri said the progress reached between Lebanon’s parties has no regional grounds, but are sheer Lebanese intentions. He said all the parties have decided to walk together for the benefit of the people.

For his part, President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday the Lebanese Army and all security apparatuses “are the essence for the nation and the symbol of satisfaction, stability and the role model for people.”

Speaking from Baabda Palace as he received delegations from senior security apparatuses officials, Aoun said a political leadership stands beside them and provides them the required immunity and support.