BEIRUT: Former Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss urged Prime Minister Najib Mikati Friday to energize the government’s work, saying he had no right to suspend the Cabinet’s sessions.

“Prime Minister Najib Mikati has said that he will be a shield to protect Lebanon’s Constitution, protect its institutions and serve its citizens.

But in fact he cannot assume these responsibilities if the Cabinet is suspended,” Hoss said in a statement.

“Therefore, he has no right to suspend the Cabinet’s sessions. In the absence of the Cabinet, the executive authority, and subsequently the state will actually be suspended,” he added.

Lebanon was thrust into a Cabinet crisis Wednesday after Mikati abruptly suspended a government session over sharp differences with ministers from MP Michel Aoun’s parliamentary bloc over appointments in the public administration.