Aoun's Bloc Continues Tour on Rivals to Garner Consensus on Initiative
The Change and Reform bloc called Tuesday for real partnership between the Lebanese factions on the second day of its tour on Lebanese parties to discuss Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's initiative to end the presidential standoff.
MP Emile Rahme, who is loyal to Aoun, said after talks with Speaker Nabih Berri's Development and Liberation bloc at the parliament that the meeting was “fruitful.”
“Partnership requires us to be frank with each other,” Rahme said, expressing hope that the rival parties would thoroughly study Aoun's initiative.
He accused some parties of preventing Christians from their real representation at state institutions, considering the initiative a “chance to produce national unity.”
Development and Liberation bloc lawmaker Ayoub Hmayyed told reporters that the meeting highlighted solutions for the political standstill.
“We positively consider any proposed initiative, in particular that suggested by Aoun.”
Hmayyed stressed that “partnership is the basis of all dialogues, which shouldn't allow any side to dominate or be excluded.”
The delegation met on Monday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel.
Aoun's initiative sets four solutions to the presidential deadend, at the forefront the election of a president directly from the people in two phases, first by the Christians, who would eliminate candidates and on a second phase by the Lebanese people.
Another solution would be a popular referendum and the candidate who garners most votes would be elected by the parliament as a new president.
The initiative also includes the possibility of electing the Maronite candidate who has the majority of representation at the parliament, while the fourth is staging the parliamentary elections ahead of the presidential polls based on a new electoral law that provides equality between Christians and Muslims.
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