Report: Jumblat Says Cabinet Can Practice President's Authorities
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has reportedly claimed that Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government would practice the power of the president in case of a vacuum at Baabda Palace.
Pan-Arab daily al-Hahat quoted him as saying on Wednesday that there would be no vacuum given that Salam's cabinet is capable of taking over the president's authorities if lawmakers failed to elect a new head of state.
But it would be better to elect a head of state by the end of President Michel Suleiman's six-year term on May 25, Jumblat reportedly told his visitors.
Parliament is expected on Wednesday to fail again in electing a new president due to differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances.
The March 8 camp's lawmakers have boycotted the parliamentary sessions over claims that politicians should agree on a consensual candidate.
But the March 14 alliance has held onto the candidacy of Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea.
Jumblat, who heads the centrist National Struggle Front bloc, has backed the candidacy of Aley MP Henri Helou.
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