The Council of Ministers is expected to hold an extraordinary session Sunday to discuss the policy statement, which was drafted by a ministerial committee Friday under Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami, the local press including An Nahar and Al Mustaqbal reported Saturday. Last week, Karami announced a 30-member half-Christian-half-Muslim cabinet after extensive consultations with political parties and heavyweight politicians. The cabinet was expected to study the draft policy statement before referring it to parliament to vote on. This is part of a traditional procedure that is carried out every time a new cabinet is formed. The papers expected parliament's vote of confidence to begin on Thursday, during which MPs will assess the policy statement and either voice their support to the government or not.

Meanwhile, Al Mustaqbal said the parliament was also expected to elect a deputy speaker next week to replace Elie Ferzli after he was appointed as information minister. The paper said speculations revealed that Metn MP Michel Murr was likely to win this post. According to the papers, the government is not likely to ask for extraordinary powers from parliament. An Nahar reported that Karami urged the ministerial committee not to leak the draft policy statement to the press before the ministers and MPs discuss it.

However, both papers quoted sources close to the committee as saying that the statement focused on foreign pressures in light of the UN Security Council resolution 1559 and the need to respect the international legitimacy by taking into account Lebanon's values and norms. The papers added that the statement addressed immediate concerns of the people including providing uninterrupted electricity, reducing the price of fuel, ensuring the old-age pension and providing free education.

Other issues cited were protecting public and individual freedoms and banning arbitrary arrests.

An Nahar asked some politicians about their expectations of the policy statement. The paper said most officials agreed on the need to promulgate a new electoral law that would ensure a fair representation of families and political forces in Lebanon. Opposition MP Butros Harb expressed hopes the government would commit to its promises and not keep them as ink on paper, especially as its timetable is limited to only seven months. Parliamentary elections are expected to be held in spring 2005 after which a new cabinet would be formed. "The cabinet should focus on four essential points: Dealing with negative impacts resulting from UN Security Council resolution 1559...

Committing to a new election law, preventing the government meddling in the elections... Setting a social and economic policy that will prevent deterioration," Harb said.

According to Shiite Amal MP Ali Bazzi, the policy statement should focus on strategic relations with Syria, particularly at this critical stage. "It should stress on rejecting foreign intervention in domestic affairs and underscore Lebanon's commitment to its national considerations..." Bazzi said.