Intensified Contacts Precede Parliament Session, Geagea Says 'Full Victory' Achieved over Hybrid Law
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The March 14 forces intensified their contacts on Tuesday in a bid to reach an agreement on a hybrid electoral law, as the Free Patriotic Movement called on the Christian political forces to confirm their commitment to the controversial Orthodox Gathering proposal.
In remarks to MTV on the eve of Wednesday's key parliamentary session, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said “agreeing on a hybrid law would be a major triumph for both proper representation and the consensual spirit."
“Had we secured (proper) representation without the consensual spirit, it would have been half a victory, and had we secured consensus without proper representation, it would have been half a defeat, but we have achieved a full victory in all aspects,” Geagea added.
MTV said the agreement involves a hybrid law under which 55% of MPs would be elected according to the winner-takes-all system and 45% according to proportional representation.
But it quoted Phalange Party sources as saying that the party is yet to approve the aforementioned agreement.
Meanwhile, caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour told LBCI television that “the agreement between Mustaqbal and the LF on the hybrid law is based on a formula under which 69 MPs would be elected according to the winner-takes-all system and 59 according to proportional representation,” revealing that “this proposal has received the Progressive Socialist Party's approval.”
Several meetings were held on Tuesday, including one between Geagea and caretaker Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil in Maarab.
Bassil also held talks in Saifi with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel; MPs Sami Gemayel and Samer Saade; and Phalange officials Sejaan Qazzi and Shaker Aoun. He declined to make a statement after the talks.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Phalange's Central House in Saifi witnessed a meeting between the party's officials and Mustaqbal bloc MP Ahmed Fatfat, who held talks hours earlier in the day with former premier Saad Hariri in Saudi Arabia.
MTV said round-the-clock contacts were held between Geagea and Hariri on Tuesday and overnight Monday.
The TV network also said LF bloc MP Antoine Zahra joined a meeting that was held at the Center House between ex-PM Fouad Saniora, head of the Mustaqbal bloc, and a number of lawmakers.
Speaker Nabih Berri had placed the controversial Orthodox Gathering proposal as a sole item on the agenda of Wednesday's plenary parliamentary session, despite the objections of many parties.
14 May 2013, 22:18
46
Free spirit. Dont listen to Roar. He doesn't really beleive in lebanon as a country and is convinced that Assad's police state regime is a model state that should be copied by the region. Wouhahahahahaha!!!!
The poor things gloats for each victory of Assad stalinist regime.
14 May 2013, 22:40
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Roar. You are very proud that your own prediction that Assad will not loose was right, and the prediction of many people on this site were wishfull thinking.
Unfortunately you are right. (I personally never dreamed that Assad will leave so easily- too good to be true).
It is a fact that the assad family is the worst thing that happened to lebanon since its independance. And you obviously are not lebanese. Probably syrian... Do you honestly think assad is good for syria?
14 May 2013, 22:55
37
Roar. I dont know why you are imagining idols and crocodile tears. Probably projecting a stereotype of someone you know. I wont get you into the nuances of my political opinions. Just answer my question:
You agree that Assad is bad for lebanon. But why do u think it is good for syria? Why are u happy he is still here? Why would syria benefit from a neostalinist criminal?
15 May 2013, 07:52
32
Roar. I dont agree that the biggest problem is with the lebanese with each other. The biggest problem of Lebanon is the assad's syria who is the BULLY of lebanon.
It is like you are saying if Petain and de gaulle talk together, they will eliminate the nazi threat, or if the polish talk together, they will elimnate the soviet threat and prevent invasion of poland.
True, Lebanese should talk together and look inside to solve their problem. But whatever they do, as long as ASSad is in power in syria, a stable strong lebanon is impossible.
14 May 2013, 23:35
93
Geagea made us loose 15 deputies and he dares to be proud of it! Judas strikes again, but the question is how much does 30 coins of silver worth these days?? Wlak tfeh
14 May 2013, 23:37
02
amn al moujtama3 al massi7i tole3 art 7akeh bi art 7akeh. No wonder his name is Dr. Arreet 7akeh. Once a servant, always a servant.
14 May 2013, 23:39
115
Is this man for real!?? And he claims to be the leader of a Christian party. it's the right of the Sunnis to elect their own MPs as well as it's the right of the maronites the orthodox the druze... and in a real historic moment that will probably not come again, the Shiaa leaders decide to back the christian rights and help them attain real representation, Geagea comes make us miss the momentum against some Saudia Ryal!! again TFEHHHH
15 May 2013, 09:14
11
BJ you think you're being the moral, good example here? Maybe you should mention that the secular party you vote f
15 May 2013, 01:43
10
So if all vote for Orthodox and the sunnis feel sidelined and abandoned, what would you think the consequence would be? Have you thought of that?
Let me remind you what happened when the gouvernement was formed without HA. Remember?
15 May 2013, 19:33
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It is not that difficult to understand my point. You can unite as much as you want, but what is the benefit if that pits you against the Sunnis? you want to give advantage to Sunni extremist and push moderates to that?
This country is shared among the 3 religions. And as long as this is the case no entity should be sidelined or feel so. Dialogue should be the norm and all parties should put their concerns on the table and those concerns are addressed by everyone.
15 May 2013, 08:28
22
they are amazing!
once there is consensual news, you see them popping up attacking everybody :)
all they want is void, or to the least increase sectarian feelings.
15 May 2013, 13:10
11
If you really understand how this man's brain and process of thoughts function you would be surprised with the decision he made to overlook the orthodox law. It must have been something big that loomed over him to back off. On the other hand, if you understand how Aoun's brain and process of thoughts function you would also be surprised with the decision he took to back up such a law. It also must have been something of great intensity and power that toppled his mindset. You feel me?
15 May 2013, 19:38
00
magic? point me to any point that he talked about that you consider magic. Are you capable of analysing what people say? Read again.
Stop poising yourself as the Einstien of morality and politics. Get to the ground and understand the complexity of politics in Lebanon.
It is either you have hard heads that whatever they say is decended from God or people that think with their head and give arguments.
So either counter their arguments or just stop those negative attacks that only show the hatred towards Geagea.
