Al-Rahi Welcomes Geagea-Bassil Meeting, Says Bkirki Planning Maronite Leaders Summit

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has welcomed a meeting held between Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil on the electoral law.

Al-Rahi, who is currently visiting Brazil, told a delegation from Lebanese Christian parties in Sao Paulo that “Bkirki is at an equal distance from everyone” and that he is “in daily contact with the Christian parties.”

The patriarch also described the meetings held between the parties as “good.”

He revealed that Bkirki is planning to hold a meeting of Maronite leaders soon.

Sources close to the Maronite church seat, told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the meeting will be held within days before the patriarch's return to Beirut.

Al-Rahi reiterated the importance of agreeing on a fair electoral law that appeases all sides and for holding the polls on time.

Monday's meeting between the arch foes Geagea and Bassil, who is a high-ranking Free Patriotic Movement official, was attended by former deputy speaker Elie al-Ferzli and LF MPs George Adwan and Elie Kairouz, said the state-run National News Agency.

Ferzli, who has been tasked by FPM leader Michel Aoun to discuss the issue of the electoral law with Geagea, told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that “what's important is to avoid the trap of the 1960 law.”

He said Sunday that the Orthodox Gathering proposal remains the best option if MPs failed to agree on a new vote plan.

The FPM, the LF, the Phalange party and the Marada movement had announced the plan as their choice for a new vote law. But last month, the rival Maronite leaders decided to suspend their proposal in a bid to give different groups a chance to agree on an alternative law.

They however declared the 1960 election law as “dead and buried” and pledged not to run for elections under it.