Al-Rahi: Elections Must be Held on Time with or without Law Amendment
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi said on Tuesday that he prefers that the 2013 parliamentary elections be held on time, even if no agreement was reached on a new electoral law.
“If they can't agree on a new electoral law, the 1960 law is still in place,” said al-Rahi upon his arrival to Rafik Hariri International Airport from the Vatican.
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said on Friday that “it is possible to extend the term of the current parliament for an additional 6 months until an accord on the electoral law is reached or the 1960 law is amended”.
Al-Rahi also called upon politicians to resume the national dialogue sessions, asking the leaders to “abandon all preconditions that are hindering these talks for the sake of the country and its welfare”.
“We need partnership and love and I have reiterated my commitment to them because Lebanon and the Orient are going through increasing divisions and conflicts,” he added.
The March 14 coalition had announced upon the assassination of General Wissam al-Hasan that it would be boycotting all cabinet's work and parliamentary sessions, calling on PM Najib Miqati to resign.
Al-Rahi denied any ambitions to pursue a political career or to become a candidate for the presidency of Lebanon, explaining that “a Patriarch is a religious figure not a political one”.
Al-Rahi added that clergymen's role “is dedicated to preserving the values of our people and achieving the best for our community”.
On Saturday, al-Rahi joined the elite club of churchmen who will elect the next pope after he was officially appointed as cardinal during a ceremony held by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Around 500 officials and politicians led by President Michel Suleiman were among 1,500 Lebanese attending Saturday's ceremony.
27 November 2012, 19:49
37
I agree with al-Rahi. The election must take place on time. The 1960 may not be perfect, but it was agreed upon by consensus during past elections. M8 doesn't want it anymore because they lost badly the last 2 elections, so they want to rig a new law in their favor. Unfortunately for them, they do not have a majority in Parliament without Jumblatt, and Jumblatt won't agree on their new proposal.
Elections must not be postponed!!! This farce of a government must not be illegally extended.
M14 won the last 2 elections, but had Berry close Parliament for 2 years the first time, and had May 7 coup d'etat the second time.
M14 should still be in power if not for the unconstitutional demand (under de-facto May 7 invasion) that forced M14 to give cabinet seats to M8 during Doha talks. It was this unconstitutional demand under threat of arms that gave M8 the power to resign the last government, a provision not provided in the constitution.
27 November 2012, 20:18
41
If we go back to the 60's, then we will have the result of the '70's, the chaos of the '80's and the confusion of the '90's not to forget the splitting of the country in the 00's and the 10's. I say there has to be a new solution that springs from the mind of the smart and not the loins of the militants.
27 November 2012, 20:51
02
like if the lebanese has no future,everybody talking about the 60s or 2000 or now 2012/13...nobody is talking or hinting about a new civic lebanese electoral law like all the modern countries on this planet,seperate state from church/mosque........leich? nobody is optimistic about this poor country/???????
27 November 2012, 21:40
32
The Regional developments by the time the elections are due will bring a lot more changes to the lebanese scene that would dwarf election laws or anything this lame government would adopt today.
28 November 2012, 16:08
01
Apparently wisdom comes with the Cardinal's red garments. Patriarch has come around to the right position on the elections.
