Bassil Slams Attempt to Topple Parliamentary Elections, Says Polls to Resolve All Crises

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil lashed out at politicians who are calling for the extension of the parliament's tenure, considering that the polls are the solution for the lingering crises including the presidential vacuum.

“Whoever wins the general elections would be able to elect a new head of state,” Bassil said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday.

He slammed the recent endeavors to resolves the vacuum at the Baabda Palace, describing them as an attempt to extend the term of the parliament.

“Postponing the parliamentary elections over security fears is not convincing,” the Free Patriotic Movement official told the newspaper.

He pointed out that “any compelling circumstances could delay the elections, but the polls should occur and not postponed over the unknown future.”

Bassil stressed that “the Lebanese system is based on respecting the constitution and the representation of all the country's components. Boycotting should not be an option.”

“The main problem is the rejection (by certain parties) to adopt the Christians' choice... Thwarting the elections indicates that the system is corrupt.”

Speaker Nabih Berri, a previous advocate of staging the parliamentary elections, refused recently to carry out the polls, if it was boycotted by a key party.

Head of al-Mustaqbal movement Saad Hariri had stated recently that the presidential elections should be a priority for Lebanon, revealing that his movement will not participate in the parliamentary polls should they be held in the absence of a president.

Some political blocks have been demanding that the parliamentary elections, which are set for November, should be held even if a head of state is not elected.

Others have been demanding that parliament's term be extended for a second time given the vacuum, poor security situation, and dispute over an electoral law.

Poor security and the disagreement over the law forced the extension of parliament's term last year.

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the elections.

H.K.

G.K.