Regarding the cabinet session, which Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his intention to call from Baabda Palace in his last visit a few days ago to discuss the budget, the duo’s sources revealed that they had not had any contact with them in this regard, and she told Al-Gomhoria: Neither the prime minister nor any other party He spoke to us or asked us about our position and whether we would participate, and what was raised was nothing but a media whirlwind.”
When asked if Mikati is waiting for the completion of the draft budget law before sending an invitation to the Council of Ministers? The sources said: “Even with this intention, Mikati did not speak with Hezbollah or with the Amal movement. Moreover, whoever said that the draft budget law has been accomplished, there are many things in it that need answers to questions, most notably on what price of the dollar the figures are calculated in imports and expenditures, and whether The official price will remain at 1500 pounds, or is there an intention to raise it? Is there a tendency to unify the exchange rate? This is a sample of many great questions that need answers, and this is for the government, and there are committees for everything, so where is the committee to discuss the draft budget? As for the Council of Ministers, it is known. He only discusses and approves the final version of the project and “let’s bring it to me and pray for it.”
smuggling to syria
On a different level, Al-Jumhuriya stated that the scandal of bread smuggling to Syria did not shake those concerned, explaining that smuggling to Syria is not new. In addition to fuel that was smuggled in the past, “subsidized” flour was also a substance capable of being smuggled into Syria due to the price difference, and it still is.
According to Al-Gomhoria information, smuggling is carried out by protected mafias, through two gates, the North Gate and it is carried out with political cover, and the Bekaa Gate is carried out with party cover.
The head of the Syndicate of Bread Industry Owners in Lebanon, Antoine Seif, spoke to Al-Gomhouria about the depth of the problem. He first explained, in response to a question, that smuggling to Syria is an old and new issue, and drawing attention to it is necessary because the flour is “subsidized” and part of it goes to Syria, and no one can Stop it, with the presence of legal and illegal borders, calling on the state to control this matter.
He explained that the problem is the lack of bread in the market, as a result of the insufficient availability of wheat at the mills. While the stock was sufficient for six months, the quantities of wheat are not sufficient for three.
As for the crisis in this matter, according to Seif, it is represented by the issue of opening credits by the Banque du Liban to ships anchored in territorial waters, and this leads to the loss of wheat in the mills, which will inevitably lack flour, thus refraining from delivering the necessary quantities to the bakeries, and in turn losing the necessary quantities. The ovens have the ability to produce the quantities of bread needed for the Lebanese market. He pointed out that there is a clearing, and there are signs of opening credits from the Banque du Liban, which will allow ships carrying wheat to enter and unload their cargo soon.
Saudi opposition
In this atmosphere, a number of prominent Saudi opponents are meeting in Beirut to announce the launch of “Liqaa,” a “political alliance with a revolutionary Islamic identity,” embracing a comprehensive vision about the current political reality, and seeking to “remove injustice and achieve justice in order to achieve comprehensive change and establish the desired alternative.” equality and freedom, and the provision of necessary and obligatory conditions for good governance.
“Liqa'” sources told “Al-Akhbar” that “the timing is linked to the sixth anniversary of the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr,” but that “Liqa’a” was not a product of the moment, “rather he has been working for years in the face of the brutal policies of the Saudi regime, and the right moment came to reveal his identity.” politics on this cherished occasion.
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