Both factions have supported Army Commander Gen Michel Suleiman as a consensus candidate but his election has been held up by political wrangling over the shape of the future government. The opposition wants veto power in the Cabinet which is unacceptable to the governing majority and the Arab League. The latest date for the vote is set for Feb 11. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Na-tional Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi cautioned against any interference in Lebanese affairs which might hinder attempts at conciliation. The Speaker, in remarks on the sidelines of the fifth session of Speakers of Parliaments of members of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUOICM), said interference could prove gravely counter-productive.
On the Kuwaiti proposals at the meetings, the Speaker remarked Kuwait had since the preparatory meetings urged re-assessment of the union’s standing order and issue of legislation to guarantee respect of religions and religious icons and figures.
The union is the perfect venue to support Islamic world causes and issues and coordinate stances to be adopted at international venues.
In the meantime, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Wednesday lauded continued support to the work done to the league by Kuwait and its political leaders.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Moussa said the Arab League has been receiving consistent political support by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.
“We received total support to the Arab League and the work it is doing in the Arab world,” Moussa said.
