Geagea Telephones Gemayel over Electoral Law as Hariri, Jumblat Stress 'Identical Viewpoints'

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel held a lengthy phone conversation on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments regarding the electoral law.

"Both parties agreed to keep communication ongoing in this matter,” a statement released by the LF said.

Radio Voice of Lebanon (100.5) had reported earlier on Wednesday that Gemayel received a phone call from former Prime Minister Saad Hariri during which the two statesmen also discussed the joint parliamentary committee's adoption of the Orthodox Gathering's draft electoral law.

Later on Wednesday, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri telephoned Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, saying they stressed their “identical viewpoints” concerning the electoral law.

“Talks tackled the issue of yesterday's vote at the joint parliamentary committees over the so-called Orthodox Gathering draft law. The two men stressed that they have identical viewpoints concerning this issue and the need to continue consultations,” said a statement issued by Hariri's office.

Meanwhile, al-Joumhouria newspaper said Wednesday that Hariri also phoned Geagea over the same issue.

The joint committees approved on Tuesday the controversial the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft-law despite the withdrawal of the National Struggle Front bloc, the al-Mustaqbal bloc and independent March 14 opposition Christian MPs.

Hariri condemned the vote on the Orthodox Proposal, describing the step as a “black day in the history of the parliament.”

The article calls for dividing Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own lawmakers under a proportional representation system.

The proposal is supported by the four major Christian parties – the FPM, LF, Phalange and Marada.

Meanwhile, it was rejected by President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, Jumblat, al-Mustaqbal and several other independent Christian opposition MPs.

After its approval by the joint committees, there is one last step of its approval by the parliament.