Hariri Set to Propose Roadmap to End Political Crises

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri is set to propose a roadmap to end the ongoing political crises as Speaker Nabih Berri is expected to call for a session that would include on its agenda the extension of the parliament's term at the end of October.

Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Monday that Hariri intensified contacts to resolve “urgent issues.”

The sources told the daily that Hariri, who is expected to return to Lebanon soon ahead of the extension of the parliament’s tenure, will propose in person a new roadmap to salvage the country from the ongoing political crises.

The former premier reportedly set the extension of the legislature's term as a key step to prevent further vacuum at Lebanese institutions to ensure the survival of the state, in particular to safeguard the cabinet's unity.

The Speaker's visitors also quoted him as saying that he will call for a parliamentary session at the end of October.

Berri didn't rule out the possibility of discussing the extension of the parliament's tenure anew.

The speaker, despite his unmoving rejection to extend the parliament's term, had recently said that he opposes the staging of parliamentary elections, if it was boycotted by a key party. Hariri had stated 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 blocs have been demanding that the parliamentary elections, which are set for November, 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.

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G.K.