Kataeb: We Should Hold Presidential Elections instead of Promoting Extension of Parliament's Term
The Kataeb Party warned on Monday that the extension of parliament's term is aimed at harming the role of the presidency through “indefinitely” maintaining the presidential vacuum in Lebanon.
It said in a statement after its weekly politburo meeting: “The dangerous developments that Lebanon experienced may reoccur if we do not elect a president.”
“We should stage the presidential elections instead of promoting the extension of parliament's term for security or logistical purposes,” it added.
“Maintaining the presidential vacuum harms Lebanon's institutions and is a precursor to destroying the Lebanese system and its historic democratic course,” continued the Kataeb Party.
Furthermore, the party hailed the return to Lebanon of head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri, hoping that it should be “exploited to assert stability and pave the way restarting internal dialogue among the political foes.”
The parliament has so far failed to choose a successor to President Michel Suleiman whose six-year term ended on May 25.
There is a large disagreement among the rival parliamentary blocs on a compromise candidate.
The vacuum at the Baabda Palace comes amid looming parliamentary elections. The legislature extended its term last year to November 20, 2014 after the MPs failed to approve a new electoral draft-law.
Speaker Nabih Berri last week voiced his opposition to the extension, urging the interior minister to carry out the preparations to hold the November polls.
Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat had on the other hand voiced his support on Sunday for the extension, saying that a two-year extension would substitute the failure to hold the presidential elections.
M.T.
S.D.B.
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