Miqati Meets Jumblat, Keen on Avoiding Dispute with him ‘at All Costs’

Prime Minister Najib Miqati held talks last week away from the media spotlight with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, revealed the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Monday.

Ministerial sources said that the talks focused on the government deadlock over a number of issues, with the premier stressing that he will avoid a dispute with the MP “at all costs.”

The meeting addressed the parliamentary electoral law, with the sources saying that Miqati does not completely support Interior Minister Marwan Charbel’s proposal on the adoption of proportional representation for the law.

It remains to be seen whether the government will tackle the electoral law once it resumes sessions after the Easter holiday, reported the daily.

Miqati, who is currently on a private visit to London, is “leaning towards taking his time” in discussing the electoral law in order to allow for consultations on the matter.

Jumblat had voiced his opposition to proportional representation for the electoral law, with Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi al-Aridi saying last week that this law seeks to limit the PSP leader’s political weight.

The March 14 camp had also voiced reservations on the law and it is most likely keen on adopting the amended 1960 law that was adopted in the 2009 elections.