As the off again on again Cabinet meets on Wednesday at 5 pm with President Emile Lahoud likely to attend, observers are unsure whether a boycott is in the works despite positive body language from Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

A jubilant Siniora announced on Monday that the Cabinet will meet at its new location in the Social and Economic Council building in Downtown Beirut, in a compromise reached enabling the March 14th alliance to avoid going to Baabda Palace and putting to rest security concerns that arose with the Museum road temporary location. When asked about his position on Lahoud, Siniora said “you all know what I think, my position has been repeatedly stated.” Siniora had on several occasions declared the need for Lahoud to step down and allow the country to move forward.

“Will the March 14th alliance accept a harsh cohabitation with Lahoud or will it boycott the (cabinet) session?” asked An-Nahar daily Tuesday. The daily said that the Cabinet would tackle 90 articles of discussion, 49 of which were added to the previously aborted session last week.

The daily said that despite pinpointing the Cabinet’s new location, it was still not clear whether “some or all” the ministers will boycott the session, knowing that sources told it Lahoud plans on attending. Sources also told Ad-Diyar daily that Lahoud is “expected” to attend and pointed to the likelihood of a boycott from members of the March 14th alliance in the event Lahoud presides over the session. Sources close to Baabda told the daily “should the March 14th alliance shun the meet, they would be held responsible for hamstringing the work of constitutional institutions and thus the legislative.” The same sources pointed to Baabda’s satisfaction concerning the Lahoud-Siniora cooperation and dialogue over how to run the country.

As for Lahoud, he went on the offensive, attacking members of the alliance and defending Syria’s role in Lebanon. Al-Balad daily reported the president attacking the “sovereignty members of the last hour” in specific reference to the Gemayels and in general reference to the March 14th alliance as collaborating with “supporters of Israel.” The Future movement retorted by saying “this is a wide open attempt at creating sectarian tension.” Lahoud also praised the Syrian role in Lebanon saying it helped restore the country’s security since 1989.

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