Lebanese Phalange Party threatens to resign from government

Lebanon’s Phalange Party has threatened that its ministers will resign from Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s government if the Cabinet’s new policy statement is not amended. The Phalange ministers protested on Friday against the new statement, especially over the clause related to resistance against Israel.

The party’s political bureau issued a statement following a meeting led by leader and former state President Amin Gemayel. “After discussing the cabinet’s policy statement,” it said, “the Phalange Party opposes the wording which undermines the state’s sovereignty and the Baabda declaration. As such, the Phalange political bureau has decided to resign from the government unless action is taken to resolve the confusion”.

The statement pointed out that the ministers will resign formally before a parliamentary vote of confidence if the statement is not amended.