its regular sessions and fails to meet throughout two successive extraordinary sessions, each
longer than one month, or if the Chamber returns the entire budget plan with the aim of
paralyzing the Government. This right cannot be exercised a second time if it is for the same
reasons which led to the dissolution of the Chamber the first time.
5. The Council of Ministers shall meet periodically in a special seat, and the President
of the republic shall chair its meetings when he attends. The legal quorum for a Council
meeting shall be a two-thirds majority of its members. It shall make its decisions by
consensus. If that is not possible, it makes its decisions by vote of the majority of attending
members. Basic issues shall require the approval of two thirds of the members of the
government named in the Decree of its formation. The following issues are considered basic:
The amendment of the constitution, the declaration of a state of emergency and its
termination, war and peace, general mobilization, international, long-term comprehensive
development plans, the appointment of employees of grade one and its equivalent, the
reconsideration of the administrative divisions, the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies,
electoral laws, nationality laws, personal status laws, and the dismissal of Ministers.
Article 66
(As amended by the Constitutional Law of October 17, 1927
And the constitutional law of September 21, 1990)
Only Lebanese who satisfy the conditions for becoming deputies may assume
ministerial posts.
The Ministers shall administer the Government's services and shall be entrusted with
applying the laws and regulations, each one pertaining to matters relating to his department.
Ministers shall be collectively responsible before the Chamber for the general policy
of the Government and individually responsible for their personal actions.
Article 67
(As amended by the Constitutional Law of October 17, 1927)
Ministers may attend the Chamber if they so desire, and they shall have the right to be
heard whenever they request to speak. They may be assisted by whomever they select from
among the officials of their Departments.
Article 68
(As amended by the Constitutional Law of October 17, 1927)
When the Chamber, in accordance with Article 37, passes a vote of no confidence in a
Minister, that Minister shall be required to resign.
Article 69
(As amended by the Constitutional Law of October 17, 1927,
Abrogated by the constitutional law of may 8, 1929,
And issued by the constitutional law of September 21, 1990)
1 The Government shall be considered resigned in the following circumstances:
a. if the Prime Minister resigns;
b. if it loses more than a third of the members specified in the Decree of its formation;
c. if the Prime Minister dies;