Mr Hariri said Jan 7 the reason is the preoccupation of P.Hrawi, him and five other ministers who are preparing for a meeting of the Lebanese Syrian Coordination Committee on Jan 11 in Damascus. Cancellation of the meeting and the given reason is not reasonable here because issues such as situation in south, Hariri-Chirac talks in Paris and latest security dragnet should have urged a meeting. Real reason is likely to be the showdown between the prime minister and army command over promotion of eight colonels. The cancellation or hold on is a bid to overt a potential division during the cabinet meeting between Hariri allies and others. The showdown has emerged by the new year and both sides show no readiness to concede .
Some circles see it as stars war.
Mr Hariri quoted saying the army command defiance to the political authority is unacceptable. Army command in an internal circular authorized eight colonels to go a head and wear brigadier stars, despite the fact that prime minister did not sign relevant promotion decree . Hariri quoted saying army command is imposing promotions as a do facto. The promotions were pending since july last year and due to come into effect on Jan 1. Mr Hariri refrained to comment Jan 7 and said there are rather more important issues to speak about, but he said promotion issue is now in the hands of the Shura Council and he did not want to make premature judgment, the Shura Council was petitioned by eight officers who are going to be promoted after it become clear that Mr Hariri will veto, namely promotion Jamil Es Sayed, deputy director of military intelligence, the Shura decision is likely to be taken in two weeks and possibly in favor of promotion.