Naharnet

Maronite Meeting: Electoral Law Will Revitalize Christian Role in Lebanon

A meeting for Maronite leaders stressed on Friday the importance of the electoral law in revitalizing the role of Christians in Lebanon.

The statement, read by the Patriarchate spokesman Walid Ghayyath, said: “The Christians believe in the Lebanese state and its institutions and they believe that an electoral law is the correct way to revitalize their role in the country.”

The electoral law is the foundation for building partnership in Lebanon based on equal representation, he added.

Rival Maronite leaders and lawmakers met in Bkirki on Friday in the second round of discussions between them on suggestions for a new electoral law that Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi hoped would receive consensus.

The top four Maronite leaders Phalange party chief Amin Gemayel, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and the head of the Marada movement Suleiman Franjieh along with MPs from the March 8 and March 14 forces attended the meeting.

After the meeting, the conferees attended a lunch banquet thrown by al-Rahi in their honor.

On Thursday, a meeting was held between members of the committee that was tasked by the last meeting held in Bkirki on June 2 to study the best electoral law.

MPs George Adwan, Sami Gemayel and Alain Aoun and former Minister Youssef Saadeh held talks for more than three hours following the parliamentary session, An Nahar daily said.

The four-member committee reportedly made suggestions during Friday’s meeting and proposed several law, starting with the best law that guarantees the right representation.

The conferees are expected to reach an agreement on the best law that should be adopted by parliament.

Lawmakers Dori Chamoun, Farid Habib and Strida Geagea didn’t attend while Salim Salhab said health reasons prevented him from heading to Bkirki.


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