Al-Rahi and Audeh Support Fair Electoral Law that Preserves Coexistence
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Audeh have expressed support to a parliamentary draft-law that preserves coexistence.
“Bkirki is neither with an Orthodox proposal nor with a Maronite proposal,” al-Liwaa daily quoted al-Rahi as saying on Friday.
The Maronite church “only supports a Lebanese proposal,” he said.
Audeh also told al-Liwaa that he wouldn't back any draft-law that doesn't preserve coexistence among the Lebanese.
Al-Mustaqbal daily quoted sources close to Audeh as saying that the Orthodox sect does not accept the proposal for deepening divisions among the confessions.
Their remarks came over differences between Lebanon's different factions on the Orthodox Gathering proposal that won the support of the rival Christian parties – the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Phalange and the Marada - during a meeting they held under Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi last Sunday.
The Orthodox proposal and two other draft-laws are under discussion by rival MPs from the March 8 alliance and the March 14 opposition coalition during intense meetings held by a parliamentary subcommittee.
Change and Reform bloc MP Alain Aoun, who suspended his participation in the meetings on Thursday, told Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that al-Rahi supports any draft-law that represents the Lebanese fairly.
“He doesn't have an opinion on any of the suggested draft-laws,” he said.
March 14 Christian politicians, al-Mustaqbal bloc, and MP Walid Jumblat’s National Struggle Front have criticized the Orthodox proposal for allegedly deepening sectarian divisions.
Al-Mustaqbal and Jumblat have also criticized a bill approved by the cabinet and referred to parliament, saying they totally reject proportionality.
The cabinet's draft-law divides Lebanon into 13 electoral districts based on a propositional representation system. Another proposal has been made by March 14 Christian MPs to adopt the winner-takes-all system and divide the country into 50 small-sized districts.
11 January 2013, 09:30
43
everyone is backing off from this so-called orthodox law (actually ferzli law inspired by bashar to divide Lebanon) :)
11 January 2013, 12:05
41
Unfortunatelly, they are playing for a segment of the maronite community that feel entitled, in fear or unsure about its place. Yes m14 is in trouble because some of its Christian components went along thinking the Hizb and amal will torpedo it. They underestimated Aoun and the willingness of the Hizb to undermine and destroy al mustaqbal.
11 January 2013, 12:55
40
in the previious elections aoun played and succeeded the sectarian game.
but this time round it will not work.
this law if passed will be the cause of dividing Lebanon which is what the Syrian regime wants and ferzli is just another samaha.
aoun is a Syrian puppet sold out for a penny od dollars, and does not care about the Lebanese Christians or the middle east Christians, just his pocket.
11 January 2013, 11:52
23
Deport lebanese ... Long live democracy. Must be an FPMer. Weired concept of democracy imported from Bashar.
11 January 2013, 16:48
21
Flamer- you have a long way to go before you understand basic human rights.
11 January 2013, 19:42
11
FlameThrower - Do you really believe this garbage about deporting your fellow Lebanese. Then what is next: the next civil war to ethnically cleanse each other to KSA or Iran??? Has hatred filled your heart so much?
11 January 2013, 18:34
00
R we still talking bout this law??... U can't pass a law that will deminish an entire sect like the Druze.
Now, can some1 do something about the electricity situation plz?? It's been out since the storm hit! We're tired of paying for these generator mafias!
Beirut living costs as much as newyork! How?! The one in Lebanon that crosses all sectarian lines is the fact that we all live like crap.
11 January 2013, 20:03
01
From this we learn that the religious warlords are closely aligned to the secular warlords. When democracy comes to Lebanon, there are going to be a lot of palaces coming on the market.
