Change and Reform 'Will Not Accept' Alternative to Aoun's Initiative
The Change and Reform bloc announced on Tuesday its commitment to the initiative launched by its leader MP Michel Aoun aimed at ending the presidential elections deadlock, rejecting the “rash” condemnations issued against it.
Former Minister Salim Jreissati said after the bloc's weekly meeting: “We will not accept an alternative to the initiative.”
He defended the proposal, while refuting criticism that it violates Lebanon's National Pact that calls for equal power-sharing between the country's Muslim and Christian communities.
“Those who believe that Aoun's initiative is a political maneuver are gravely mistaken,” he remarked, stressing that it adheres to the 1989 Taef Accord.
“The proposal is a reflection of the Accord and helps preserve its articles,” declared the former minister.
“Aoun made his initiative before it was too late. He sought to fortify Lebanon from future dangers,” he explained.
Moreover, Jreissati said that the initiative “will liberate the president from the clutches of foreign influence seeing as he will be elected by the people.”
He urged its critics to review the proposal once again before making “hasty” judgments.
Aoun called for a constitutional amendment that would allow the people to elect their head of state in an attempt to resolve the presidential deadlock.
The proposal lies in allowing only Christians to vote for their candidates in the first round that would pave way for both Muslims and Christians to choose the two candidates who received the majority of votes in the first round.
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea had accused his rival of deceiving the public and creating a media stir to win the backing of the rival Lebanese parties in the presidential elections.
“Aoun hasn't proposed a serious initiative. He created a media uproar to pressure the Lebanese parties into electing him as president,” he noted.
He reiterated that parliament can't make constitutional amendments amid a vacuum in the presidency.
The term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May.
M.T.
S.D.B.
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