Lebanese constitutional institutions are expected to return to normal operation next week with a cabinet session scheduled for Tuesday.
The meeting will reveal the details of the new settlement that was reached to tackle the crisis that erupted in the country last month when Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his shock resignation.
He has since suspended his resignation pending consultations to tackle the reasons that prompted him to step down, mainly Iran’s meddling in Lebanese affairs and “Hezbollah’s” interference in regional conflicts.
Tuesday’s cabinet session is set to issue a statement that includes a clear definition of the policy of disassociation from the region’s conflicts, stressing that “Hezbollah” must cease meddling in Arab affairs and commit completely to the Taef Accord.
Political powers agree that the government meeting will be “decisive” in dealing with Hariri’s resignation and he is expected to announce soon after that he will be retracting it in order to allow the settlement to take effect.
Sources from the presidential palace told Asharq Al-Awsat that the situation appears positive and so far there have been no developments that could dampen the optimism.
“The very fact that the government will meet and its release of a statement that answers all questions that have been raised in recent weeks” is sufficient cause for optimism, they explained.
Hariri’s Mustaqbal Movement has been monitoring the developments and politburo member Rashed Fayed told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hariri will go ahead with his resignation if the settlement is not heeded in regards to distancing Lebanon from regional crises.
He added however that chances to reach calm are much greater than the chances of an escalation as witnessed by the rapprochement between President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri.
