Cabinet approves adopting magnetic card and mega center in year 2026
Thursday, Mar 10, 2022
NNA - The Cabinet convened this afternoon at Baabda Palace, in a session headed by President, General Michel Aoun.
The Cabinet approved a draft law aimed at amending the Parliamentary Elections Law in a way that allows the adoption of the magnetic card and the mechanism of major polling stations in the upcoming parliamentary elections of 2026.
The Council of Ministers also appointed Brigadier General, Hassan Choucair and reappointed of Major General Antoine Saliba as Director General of State Security, after accepting his resignation.
President Michel Aoun asserted that parliamentary elections should take place on date, regardless of positions related to the issue of Mega center, and that each party bears responsibility for its position.
For his part, Premier Mikati informed the Cabinet of appointing Ziad Makari as Information Minister.
The session was preceded by a meeting between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, during which agenda topics were discussed.
Statement:
After the session, Minister Al-Halaby read the Cabinet statement:
“The Cabinet convened in its weekly session headed by the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, and attended by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and ministers except the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Labor Minister.
His Excellency the President asserted that the parliamentary elections should take place on their scheduled date, regardless of the positions related on the mega center issue, and emphasized that each party bears responsibility for its position.
His Excellency also indicated that he is with holding the elections and the adoption of the MegaCenter because it eases the burdens on citizens in light of the difficult economic and financial conditions and increases voter participation rate.
Then, the Prime Minister informed the Cabinet of the appointment of Mr. Ziad Makari as Information Minister, then proceeded to study theagenda items and took the appropriate decisions, including:
1- Approving the recommendations submitted by the Ministerial Committee on the subject of the building of wheat blocks which are in danger of falling in the port of Beirut, and assigning the committee to develop a practical vision for its implementation.
2- Approving a draft law to amend the Parliamentary Elections Law in a way that allows the adoption of magnetic cards and ... major polling stations in the upcoming parliamentary elections for the year 2026.
3- Taking note of the decision of the InteriorMinister to abolish polling stations for the Lebanese in the state of Ukraine.
4- Appointing Brigadier General Hassan Choucairas assistant director of State Security.
5- Accepting the resignation of the Director General of State Security, Major General TonySaliba, and referring him to retirement, whileappointing him as Director General of State Security.
6- Approving the request of the Industry Ministrynot to allow the export of foodstuffs manufactured in Lebanon except on the basis of the aforementioned ministry’s export permit.
7- Accepting a financial grant of 50 million Euros from the Federal Republic of Germany within the framework of an agreement.... for educational programs, water and sanitation and the World Health Organization to confront Corona pandemic.
Questions & Answers:
Minister Halaby was asked about appointments in the State Security Service, where he said that Brigadier General Hassan Choucair was appointed as Deputy Director General of State Security, and Major General Tony Saliba as Director General after he submitted his resignation, and was reappointed in his civilian title.
Question: How did the Mega centre item fall out? And why did you recommend adopting it in 2026?
Answer: “There was fear that the adoption of the Mega Center might delay the holding of the electoral process, and there was confirmation from His Excellency the President, the Prime Minister and the ministers that the elections would be held on the scheduled date on May 15th, so this formula was agreed upon”.
Question: With regard to the item on the displaced Syrians, why did the Minister of Displaced Affairs leave?
Answer: “The minister had asked to discuss the report on activating the return of the displaced Syrians during this session, while the Cabinetdecided to postpone the discussion”.
Question: What was the reason for the discussion that took place between the Ministers of Displaced and Social Affairs?
Answer: “We did not hear any discussion between them”.
Question: What about the full-time file for contractual professors at the Lebanese University?
Answer: “These files have become the subject of great interest and discussion. I can say that during the next two days we will complete these files, and I hope they will be completed next week after we received a promise from the presidents and the Council of Ministers to look into this matter”.
Question: How true is the talk about reducing fines for some companies?
Answer: “The Finance Minister asked to postpone the discussion of these items, as they will be included in the general budget, and the Parliament will decide on them, not the government”.
Question: Have you approved the passport money?
Answer: “It was approved by the Finance and Budget Committee yesterday, and it will be included in the general budget”.

