Suleiman Demands Administrative Decentralization, Says 'Sincerely' Working on Holding Timely Presidential Vote

President Michel Suleiman revealed on Friday that he is “sincerely and seriously” working on holding the presidential election on time, reiterating calls to implement administrative decentralization in the country.

"I am sincerely and seriously working on providing all necessary conditions to hold the presidential election on time after more than 40 years of untimely vote,” Suleiman said during an event marking the 100 anniversary of the establishment of the Zouk Mekayel municipality.

He noted: “I consider this to be a great achievement.”

In addition to Suleiman, the ceremony was also attended by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, former Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Development and Liberation bloc MP Michel Moussa representing Speaker Nabih Berri, amongst other local and international figures.

Suleiman called in his speech for reaching consensus over a new electoral law.

“It is very important to shorten the extended mandate of the parliament,” he stressed.

He pointed out: “In the talks we held in New York, all international powers expressed their keenness on holding elections on time.”

“Achieving what we desire requires the presence of an executive power and a legislative authority that follows-up on its work. But how could we attain this amid the current inability to agree on several national issues?”

Suleiman remarked: "The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the World Bank chief and the head of the Arab League met to discuss ways to support Lebanon and its army."

"It is not acceptable that foreign powers worry about Lebanon being dependent on the fate of regional crises and that they meet to look in ways to support the country while the Lebanese are repeating the mistakes of the past," he stated.

"The Lebanese continue to be submissive to external powers, and continue to ignore the Baabda declaration that reestablished the National Pact and is a path towards national dialogue.”

In a separate matter, the president reiterated calls for adopting administrative decentralization in the country.

“Decentralization is the best approach in order for each community to deal with its own issues,” he expressed.

Suleiman explained: “Administrative decentralization creates awareness instead of monopoly that is established by centralized rule. It contributes to managing public affairs without chaos and it allows supervising the work of the administration and questioning it.”

He continued: “Decentralization secures justice in revenues and imports, it promotes transparency and exposes and limits corruption. All this leads to economical development. It also allows shedding the light on the most qualified people and revives administrative posts in all regions.”

The head of the state urged citizens to evaluate their choices in parliamentary elections, based on the MPs' work.

“When we are facing crises in the country, we must ask ourselves whether the representatives we elected worked on finding common grounds between different groups or they abused the power to expand their influence and their personal interests,” he said.

“The voting ballot must be an assessment to the MPs' work. Without questioning, there would be no reform.”