Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri put their differences aside on Tuesday as they met to discuss reviving the faltering economy, reported the Daily Star.
But behind the public agreement, officials appear divided as to who should hold the government accountable for its economic performance, namely Parliament or some type of "collective" arrangement, according to the paper.
During meetings throughout the day with various officials, Lahoud insisted on "collective responsibility for dealing with economic issues."
In the context of this shared responsibility, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt pursued meetings with high-ranking officials.
After a meeting with Hariri, the Chouf MP is scheduled to visit Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday.
Jumblatt insisted on the importance of "respecting and consolidating the role of state institutions" as a guarantee for any effective economic revival, the paper quoted him as saying.
However, he also remarked that "giving priority to security over the economy is a bad thing and unacceptable. Institutions are what protect the economy."
The insistence on the role of state institutions appeared to carry significant implications, raising questions as to who should be in charge of controlling and evaluating the government's economic performance, the paper said.
Government sources said Hariri told politicians he met in recent days that the government's economic moves should be evaluated through the 2002 budget draft, especially since this draft is discussed first in the cabinet, and later in Parliament.
As for the proper implementation of the budget law, this should be monitored and evaluated only by Parliament, they said.
Hariri's insistence on this point is believed to stem from his belief that the president would rather have the government's economic performance monitored by economic experts as well.
Lahoud and Hariri sat together for more than 90 minutes. The two avoided tackling recent security-related incidents that provoked a feud between them. Hariri and cabinet ministers said they were unaware of plans for a crackdown on anti-Syrian activists earlier in the month.
Instead, they agreed on the need to look forward and think positively about what needed to be achieved economically.
Speaking after the meeting, Hariri asserted that the atmosphere was "positive," adding that "we are facing today a new phase in the exercise of politics." - Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
