FPM MPs to Miss Wednesday's 'Folkloric' Parliamentary Session
The Change and Reform bloc on Tuesday hinted that the Free Patriotic Movement MPs will not attend the parliamentary session dedicated for electing a new president on Wednesday.
"We do not believe in vacuum (in the presidency), and it is not in our considerations,” MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the bloc's weekly meeting.
"But we are also against folkloric parliamentary sessions,” he added.
Kanaan said the bloc wants a president who is “strong in their community, but who is also capable of uniting the Lebanese people.”
"It is our duty to preserve this choice,” he stated.
The second round of presidential elections is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, after MPs failed last week to elect a new head of state as no candidate was able to garner the needed two-thirds of votes.
On the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's summons of two Lebanese journalists, Kanaan said the FPM has always supported press freedom.
"We regret attacks against freedom of the press, and this is our stance regardless of which media institution is involved,” he said.
The STL announced on Thursday that it has summoned al-Akhbar newspaper's Ibrahim al-Amin and al-Jadeed television's Karma al-Khayat on charges of “content and obstruction of justice.”
The accused may choose whether to appear at the court in person or by video-link. The initial appearances of the accused are scheduled for May 13, 2014.
In a separate matter, Kanaan said that issuing the new wage scale is a “right,” but noted that the economy and social security should be taken into consideration.
"This issue must be not about ignoring these rights, but should be dealt with according to rights, potentials, and reforms,” he explained.
"It is a matter that concerns the safety of the state and its institutions,” he said. “We hope we will reach the positive outcome we desire.”
S.D.B.
Y.R.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/128551 |