During the meeting, the ministers of Health and National Defense asked for an increase in the appropriations allocated to their ministries, according to sources.

Another round of negotiations on the draft budget will take place on Tuesday at 5:00 pm

The Speaker, Nabih Berri has called on the government to accelerate the debate on the draft budget.

The Minister of Finance, Raya El Hassan, called on all ministers to quickly approve the draft budget “that is already late from constitutional dates.”

“We are opened to all discussions and comments but there is a need to approve the draft budget we proposed to push ahead with the economy,” she said.

The Minister was speaking at a round table she chaired to discuss the budget preparation process, and the 2011-initial draft budget released last week by the Ministry.

She said that the 2011-draft budget will target to maintain the growth in the economy and achieve a high primary surplus, and provide the necessary appropriations to implement new projects to boost power supply and improve the infrastructure.

“It is illogic for us to be discussing the 2011 draft budget when the 2010 draft proposal is not approved yet,” she said.