Following the end of the Lebanese Civil War and the ratification of the Ta'if Accord, the responsibilities of the Council of Ministers were significantly strengthened, codified and clearly listed in the Constitution.

The council is generally tasked with overseeing daily affairs, and preparing bills for the House of Deputies to vote on.

For the government to consent on so-called "basic" issues (constitutional amendments, electoral laws, dissolving parliament, war and peace, intl.

In addition, the President can place any item he deems to be "urgent" on the agenda and order extraordinary sessions.

[citation needed] The quorum for a meeting is 2/3 of the ministers, and its decisions are taken by those present (voting by proxy is not allowed).

For example, in 2006, Hezbollah began mass demonstrations as all 5 Shiite and 1 Christian from resigned from the 24 member cabinet (2 short of the 1/3 needed to bring down the government) of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

Nevertheless, the government continued to function for another 2 years until incumbent President Emile Lahoud's term ended in 2008.