A range of civil service appointments will be the latest test of domestic political stability in Lebanon, as the country's three top leaders face the challenge of appointing qualified individuals and overseeing administrative reform, reported the Daily Star on Monday.
Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri acknowledged that the issue of appointments was on "the front burner" when he visited President Emile Lahoud on Saturday, followed by two hours of talks with Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday.
Government sources said that the three had reached an understanding that competence would be the sole criteria adopted in the process of appointments and transfers of state posts.
If this proves a success, the appointments will help achieve administrative reform, a key item in the government's policy statement and perennial concern of opposition politicians.
However, if the government ignores the issue of qualifications, the issue could mark the re-emergence of political disagreements among the three leaders, said the sources.
The sources said the administrative appointments would extend to vacancies in the first- and second-rank positions in state governments – Albawaba.com
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