If tomorrow’s scheduled Cabinet session represents the dividing line between calm and tension, the invitation issued by the Cabinet Secretariat to hold this session on Friday afternoon caused confusions that almost threatened disputes, especially since the invitation limited the session to a single item: “Presentation and discussion of the implementation plan for disarmament assigned to the army.”

According to information, the “March 8 Alliance” (the duo) interpreted this invitation for a session with a single item related to disarmament as a direct provocation and a challenge to proceed with a decision they oppose. Their immediate response was to confirm their boycott of the session and the absence of Shiite ministers.

Following this, intensive presidential interventions sought to find a way out aimed not only at confirming the participation of the duo’s ministers in this session but also at saving the government and preventing the widening cracks that appeared after the two decisions. There is growing concern that if matters continue on their negative path, the duo might take positions beyond boycotting the disarmament decision, possibly suspending participation in the government or resigning.

Sources indicate that although there is a firm conviction among various parties that the government has fractured after the two decisions and that it is no longer possible to mend this fracture, there is still a desire at official levels not to let matters slip further, thus preserving what exists, at least for the current phase. On this basis, high-level contacts moved directly and indirectly towards the duo, seeking to promote a solution that ensures the Shiite ministers do not boycott Friday’s session by expanding the agenda and adding several items. This indeed happened with the annex that followed the invitation yesterday, which included four new items on the session’s agenda.

While the duo confirmed they are not boycotting the government and that their objection is limited to the two decisions on disarmament and approval of the American paper, sources familiar with their position told “Al Joumhouria” that “adding additional items to the agenda may tilt the Shiite ministers’ participation in the session, but their attendance will be limited only to discussing and approving the added items. As for the discussion of the disarmament decision, they will withdraw from the session as soon as it is raised, considering that they are not concerned with it and believe the door is still open for the government to correct the mistake made.”