After intensive mediation between Baabda Palace and Koraytem, the cellular question was reportedly settled on Monday, with little disclosed regarding the final shape of the deal.
Following a meeting at Baabda on Monday between President Emile Lahoud and the speaker ­ who has been particularly active in mediating between the president and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri ­ a source close to the speaker said the “cellular issue is closed,” adding that “everyone had the country’s best interests at heart.”
Contacted by The Daily Star, Berri refused to discuss the formula used to settle the matter.
But sources close to Berri asserted that an agreement had been reached on the issue and that the final formula would be explained in Parliament.
Settling the cellular dispute in Parliament would not only help avoid further friction in the Cabinet but also reinforce Parliament’s legislative role, in particular regarding privatization.
Sources familiar with the cellular issue asserted that a final understanding has been almost put in place, according to which a time period would be specified for the state to undertake auction and tendering for operation ­ in which the country’s two cellular companies would be able to participate ­ before deciding on an option. Once the deadline expires, the current companies would work as “operators” in return for a specific percentage, as recommended by Lahoud.
The formula appeared to be a compromise between Lahoud, who reportedly favors seeing the government retrieve the cellular network before deciding how to exploit it, and Hariri, who maintained that both Cellis and LibanCell should continue working under the same conditions until new firms take over.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet is expected to convene on Thursday, without the cellular issue on the agenda.
Hariri visited Berri on Monday as a follow-up to contacts established by the speaker to help solve the dispute.
Also on Monday, Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt visited Damascus, where he held talks with Vice-President Abdel-Halim Khaddam, and stopped in Anjar on his return to see the head of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon, Major General Ghazi Kenaan.
Political sources said Jumblatt and the Syrian officials discussed regional issues and  developments in the mediation between Lahoud and Hariri.

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