Change and Reform Bloc Reiterates Importance of Partnership to Terminate Crises
Change and Reform lawmakers toured for the third day in a row parliamentary blocs to tackle Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's initiative to end the lingering presidential crisis in Lebanon.
“Aoun's initiative is an opportunity that we should cease as it's a chance to end the deadlock,” MP Emile Rahme, who is loyal to Aoun, told reporters after meeting with Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance bloc at its headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs.
He reiterated calls on the political arch-foes to “return to partnership and maintain national unity.”
Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad stressed after the meeting that the party is “keen to end the crises in Lebanon and maintain stability.”
Raad described Aoun's initiative as “realistic,” pointing out that the developments in the region compel to seek national solutions and elect a new head of state.
The delegation later met with Mustaqbal Movement parliamentary bloc.
MP Alain Aoun, who is affiliated to the Change and Reform bloc, cited differences with al-Mustaqbal, stressing contacts will continue to remove all the obstacles impeding dialogue.
“It was an opportunity to hold an honest dialogue on Aoun's initiative,” the lawmaker said.
Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat considered talks with the delegation “long and honest.”
“We will thoroughly discuss Aoun's proposals.”
The delegation met on Tuesday with Development and Liberation bloc at the parliament and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh a day after they held talks 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.
Vacuum striking the presidential post since May last year is having a tough impact on the cabinet and the parliament as the state is threatened with further crises over ongoing rows between the rival parties.
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