Geagea Says LF to Vote for Hybrid Law, Accuses Aoun of 'Committing Crime' by Returning to 1960 Law
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday announced that his party will vote for the hybrid draft electoral law proposed by al-Mustaqbal Movement, the LF and the Progressive Socialist Party in any plenary parliamentary session, accusing Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun of “committing a crime” by returning to the 1960 law.
“We were the ones who suggested the Orthodox Gathering proposal and the committee met with all leaders and when all parties rejected the proposal, we shelved it,” Geagea said of the controversial draft electoral law, under which each sect would elect its own MPs.
“On April 3, 2013, we became convinced that this proposal has no hope to pass,” Geagea added.
“Through practical experience, we realized that the Orthodox Gathering law would be a leap into the unknown and that it would pose a threat to the Lebanese formula, although it would lead to the election of 64 MPs by Christians,” he explained.
And as he stressed that the Orthodox Gathering draft law is the only proposal that can secure the election of 64 out of 64 Christian MPs, Geagea added: “How can we lose a country for the sake of winning 64 MPs?”
“The other camp had doubts that the Orthodox law is futile, that's why they agreed to suspend it. We want the 64 MPs in order to live with others in this country, not alone,” Geagea added.
He recalled that Aoun had said in an interview on OTV in 2011 that the Orthodox law is “sectarian, unconstitutional and unacceptable.”
“Suddenly he flip-flopped, not for the sake of Christians, but rather for the sake of a dirty game they are playing,” Geagea added.
“I did not spend 11 years in jail to make compromises and engage in games such as those that are being played by Aoun for the sake of regaining lost popularity,” he said.
On Monday, Aoun said that the 1960 electoral law “will impose itself on us,” but noted that the Orthodox Gathering proposal has not yet been dropped.
He called on Tuesday for a vote on the Orthodox Gathering and hybrid electoral draft laws.
Aoun said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting: “I am prepared to accept the outcomes of the votes on both of the draft laws.”
“I'm not convinced of the 1960 law and all meetings in Bkirki stressed that it is rejected, but Aoun is now endorsing it,” said Geagea.
He denied that Saudi Arabia had pressured him to abandon the Orthodox Gathering proposal.
“The Saudis told me to keep endorsing the Orthodox proposal if that is my choice,” he revealed.
“The hybrid law is the best solution for Christians and achieving 64 seats is a good thing, but the proposed method to achieve that is bad,” Geagea added.
Criticizing Aoun's accusations, Geagea said “those keen on Christian consensus must not wage a media campaign against the other Christian party.”
“Let anyone give me a proposal that secures the election of 64 MPs by Christians while preserving the Lebanese formula and I will endorse it,” said Geagea.
He noted that the hybrid law is based on the proposals of former minister Fouad Butros and Speaker Nabih Berri.
“We will vote for the hybrid law because it is the best possible law we can achieve while preserving Lebanese partnership,” he said.
In response to a question, Geagea ruled out that a parliamentary session would be held to vote on electoral laws, saying “it will not happen because Hizbullah is preoccupied in Syria and does not want elections.”
“Aoun is committing a big crime for the sake of small electoral gains,” Geagea charged.
He noted that the hybrid law “secures at least 15 more MPs elected by Christian votes compared to the 1960 law.”
“Constitutional deadlines must not be overlooked and it is necessary to hold the elections,” Geagea stressed.
“The worst option is returning to the 1960 law,” he added.
Commenting on Hizbullah's involvement in fighting in the Syrian province of Qusayr, Geagea said: “Hizbullah's participation harms the National Pact and the party has established its own state and it has a major project which has nothing to do with the Lebanese state.”
“The only solution is separating Hizbullah's state from the Lebanese state, which means forbidding Hizbullah from taking part in any state institution,” Geagea suggested.
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22 May 2013, 21:50
Geagea: The only solution is separating Hizbullah's state from the Lebanese state, which means forbidding Hizbullah from taking part in any state institution.
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22 May 2013, 21:46
Geagea on Qusayr's clashes: Hizbullah's participation harms the National Pact and the party has established its own state and it has a major project which has nothing to do with the Lebanese state.
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22 May 2013, 21:37
Geagea: The worst option is returning to the 1960 law.
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22 May 2013, 21:36
Geagea: Constitutional deadlines must not be overlooked and it is necessary to hold the elections.
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22 May 2013, 21:24
Geagea: The hybrid law secures at least 15 more MPs elected by Christian votes compared to the 1960 law.
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22 May 2013, 21:23
Geagea: The main standard for us and for our allies is seeking ways to improve Christian representation.
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22 May 2013, 21:22
Geagea: We must not accept a return to the 1960 law and the solution is to hold a parliamentary session and vote for the hybrid law.
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22 May 2013, 21:21
Geagea: Aoun is committing a big crime for the sake of small electoral gains.
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22 May 2013, 21:18
Geagea on the possibility of holding a parliamentary session to vote on electoral laws: It will not happen because Hizbullah is preoccupied in Syria and does not want elections.
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22 May 2013, 21:17
Geagea: We will vote for the hybrid law because it is the best possible law we can achieve while preserving Lebanese partnership.
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22 May 2013, 21:17
Geagea: The hybrid law is based on the proposals of Fouad Butros and Nabih Berri.
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22 May 2013, 21:15
Geagea: Let anyone give me a proposal that secures the election of 64 MPs by Christians while preserving the Lebanese formula and I will endorse it.
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22 May 2013, 21:14
Geagea: When the patriarch returns, I will discuss the issue with him extensively as it is not acceptable to discuss something with the patriarch while some bishops are voicing different stances.
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22 May 2013, 20:58
Geagea: Those keen on Christian consensus must not wage a media campaign against the other Christian party.
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22 May 2013, 20:58
Geagea: The hybrid law is the best solution for Christians and achieving 64 seats is a good thing, but the proposed method to achieve that is bad.
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22 May 2013, 20:53
Geagea: The Saudis told me to keep endorsing the Orthodox proposal if that is my choice.
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22 May 2013, 20:49
Geagea: I'm not convinced of the 1960 law and all meetings in Bkirki stressed that it is rejected, but Aoun is now endorsing it.
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22 May 2013, 20:48
Geagea: I did not spend 11 years in jail to make compromises and engage in games such as those that are being played by Aoun for the sake of regaining lost popularity.
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22 May 2013, 20:47
Geagea: I'm with holding a parliamentary session to vote on the two proposals, and we will vote for the hybrid proposal.
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22 May 2013, 20:45
Geagea: General Aoun said in an interview on OTV in 2011 that the Orthodox law is sectarian, unconstitutional and unacceptable and suddenly he flip-flopped, not for the sake of Christians, but rather for the sake of a dirty game they are playing.
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22 May 2013, 20:41
Geagea: The other camp had doubts that the Orthodox law is futile, that's why they agreed to suspend it. We want the 64 MPs in order to live with others in this country, not alone.
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22 May 2013, 20:39
Geagea: Everyone knows that the Orthodox draft law is the only proposal that can secure 64 MPs, but how can we lose a country for the sake of winning 64 MPs?
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22 May 2013, 20:38
Geagea: Through practical experience, we realized that the Orthodox Gathering law would be a leap into the unknown and that it would pose a threat to the Lebanese formula, although it would lead to the election of 64 MPs by Christians.
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22 May 2013, 20:36
Geagea: On April 3, 2013, we became convinced that this proposal has no hope to pass.
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22 May 2013, 20:35
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in an interview on MTV: We were the ones who suggested the Orthodox Gathering proposal and the committee met with all leaders and when all parties rejected the proposal, we shelved it.
22 May 2013, 22:22
33
I would do with it - may be after 50 years when Lebanese grow out of their sectarian holes. For now, it is not possible and may be desirable to keep.
23 May 2013, 03:37
00
hybrid law - environmentally friendly and great mileage for the lebanese people- the greatest nation on earth
22 May 2013, 22:33
117
"Geagea: The Saudis told me to keep endorsing the Orthodox proposal if that is my choice."
"The Saudis told me".
No futher comment.
22 May 2013, 22:39
146
"Geagea: The Saudis TOLD me..."
LOL! As if there was any doubt that this man is a SLAVE to the most terrorist, anti-Christian nation in the world. He claims to protect the Christians' interests al. LOL! Filthy Saudi subordinate, go back to the deserts of Riyadh where you came from you Wahabist Al Qaeda sympathizer.
22 May 2013, 23:36
01
well Karim samir geagea from Bsharri "the heart of the Maronite " of Lebanon . we know he is a true Lebanese thru and thru . i wonder where are you from ? or if you are a Lebanese at all , but who cares where are you from we all know what you are . we know Geagea spend time in prison for his believes i did not waver from his principles . you say he is a murderer and should be in prison ? .so is Walid jumblet , so is Berri , so is Aoun and the list goes on and on
22 May 2013, 23:17
16
"Name one Lebanese leader who is not influenced by regional powers."
None. They should all be banned from practicing politics or face arrest.
22 May 2013, 23:29
15
as for here he is totally right.... =
“Hizbullah's participation harms the National Pact and the party has established its own state and it has a major project which has nothing to do with the Lebanese state.”
“The only solution is separating Hizbullah's state from the Lebanese state, which means forbidding Hizbullah from taking part in any state institution,”
22 May 2013, 23:30
23
The point is that our politicians, all of them, need to run around the world seeking foreign support and approval for internal Lebanese matters. This has less to do with the size of country than with the chronic lack of national pride, the lack of a strong sense of nationhood, and a true belief that national unity supercedes all political and ideological differences.
With all those leaders that we have, and their mindset, our country was, is, and will continue to be a lost cause.
22 May 2013, 23:51
33
In politics M11, nothing is free. The countries who do you a favor will ask for a price sooner or later. Once you accept foreign patronage, you are putting yourself as a politician, and by extension your country, in debt.
23 May 2013, 00:27
11
Hey flamedouche.... Go answer my comment in the hizbullah dead in syria article .... I'm still waiting
23 May 2013, 04:30
02
Geagea Says LF to Vote for Hybrid Law, Accuses Aoun of 'Committing Crime' by Returning to 1960 Law............The first part of the title is good (vote for the Law you like), the second part is not good (accusing the opponent of committing crime by supporting another Law). My personal opinion is that the Orthodox Law is bad for the Christians and for Lebanon. What Christians lose by direct representation they win by supporting the moderate candidates of other sects.
23 May 2013, 11:12
30
GAGA is becoming more like Jumblat these days.. another see saw in the gvt, more fun for us!
23 May 2013, 16:39
01
Judas is your so-called "General" who fled the country ... he has no right to be called "general". He signed a pact with the devil ...
Geagea is no better but Aoun is the worst thing to happen to the country since Hezbollah.
Aoun contradicts himself every other week. Says one thing than the next and you blind sheep follow him and believe in everything he says. He manipulates you like the damned brainwashed morons than you all are. You never read between the lines, analyse what he says.
He will make you believe the sky is green and jump to purple the week after. And you will believe him with both contradicting lies !
Start thinking for yourself
