Change and Reform Accuses Rifi of 'Insulting Judiciary', Says Interpretation of Constitution Ensures Equal Power-sharing

The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Tuesday noted that interpreting Article 24 of the Constitution would clearly define the stipulations of equal power-sharing between Christians and Muslims in state institutions.

“The interpretation of Article 24 of the Constitution can lead to passing an electoral law that respects the rules of equal power-sharing and truly reflects the will of the popular components,” the bloc said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

“The parliament had in the past held two plenary sessions to interpret constitutional articles,” the bloc noted.

Speaker Nabih Berri “confirmed that the interpretation of the Constitution is the responsibility of the parliament, as mentioned in the minutes of the March 29, 2000 session,” Change and Reform noted, in the statement that was recited by former labor minister Salim Jreissati.

MP Alain Aoun had on Monday carried a letter from bloc chief MP Michel Aoun to Berri, prior to a session for the parliamentary committee tasked with drafting a new electoral law.

In the letter, Aoun asked Berri to schedule a parliamentary session aimed at “interpreting Article 24 of the Constitution, which stipulates equality between Christians and Muslims in the electoral law.”

“The General will submit another request and will propose other initiatives that serve the interests of the country,” Jreissati said on Tuesday.

Separately, the bloc lashed out at Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi over his recent call for abolishing the Military Court and the Constitutional Council.

It described his remarks as an “insult against the judiciary.”

“What happened with the first examining magistrate of the North is condemned, especially that it is a homicide case. How can someone enter the courtroom with a weapon? Why didn't the justice minister, who hails from Tripoli, take measures regarding the incident?” the bloc said.

“We want to draw the attention of the justice minister to the resignation of some judges. Has the judiciary become politically exposed?” Change and Reform added.

Turning to the recent food safety scandal, the bloc stressed that “a modern food safety law must be adopted, so that the responsibility of each ministry becomes clear.”

“Raids must start from the source (of contaminated foodstuffs) all the way to retailers,” the bloc said.

“No one must enjoy (political) cover because food corruption harms all sects and raids must include all regions,” the bloc added.

Y.R.