Lebanon cabinet survives confidence vote

The Lebanese government has survived a parliamentary vote of no confidence, late Thursday. This was amid a mass walkout by MPs of the March 14 group, the Lebanese daily Annahar has reported. The vote of no confidence was requested by Phalange MP Sami Gemayel, who asked for the withholding of confidence in the Lebanese government, along with two other lawmakers from his bloc. Following three days of heated parliamentary debate over its policies, prime minister Najib MikatiMikatis government won 63 votes of a total of 66 MPs., stated that his cabinet “will rise above all the non-constructive remarks, especially personal insults”. Mikati, defending his government’s policy of distancing Lebanon from the crisis in Syria, said that the “policy of disassociation prevented further divides. Has anyone wondered how Lebanon’s situation would have been, had the government sided with a certain camp? What about the repercussions of such a stance on economy and security?” Mikati also added that the international community had lauded Lebanon’s policy on Syria, during the time when “some domestic parties were still questioning this stance.” Playing down the extent of disputes within the cabinet, the premier stressed: “I have said that I place all my confidence in the ministers and I have not doubted any of them.” He added: “We will continue to perform our duty towards the Syrian refugees (taking shelter in Lebanon), and this is not a favor but rather a duty, until the situation settles down in Syria.” Mikati further stated: “The responsibility to protect the border with Syria falls on Lebanon, and Lebanon will not be a path to harm any country or its people and it will be keen on safeguarding its sovereignty.” This was in response to criticism from the opposition that the government turned a blind eye to deadly Syrian incursions and shootings into Lebanon. Mikati concluded by saying: “Nothing can protect the domestic arena from threats except cooperation between the majority and the opposition.”