Aoun Rejects Any Electoral Law that Does Not Ensure Election of 64 Christian MPs
Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun renewed on Tuesday his rejection of a parliamentary electoral law that does not guarantee the election of 64 Christian MPs, while warning against handing over telecommunication data to security agencies.
He said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting: “We have the right to take our case to the constitutional council if our demand for a law that ensures the election of 64 Christian lawmakers is not met.”
“Those dealing with constitutional matters should seriously address their mission and not even think about canceling the elections,” he warned.
One draft law has garnered the support of the majority and it should be referred to parliament, he said in reference to the Orthodox Gathering proposal that was approved by the Christian parties of the Phalange Party, Lebanese Forces, FPM, and Marada Movement.
The proposal was rejected by President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the Mustaqbal Movement, various independent March 14 MPs, and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.
The draft law calls for each sect to elect its own candidate running for a seat at parliament.
On Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel's hybrid law proposal, which he made on Monday, Aoun remarked: “We would gladly approve it if it guarantees the election of 64 Christian MPs.”
Commenting on the dispute over the telecom data, Aoun said: “The minister is responsible for his ministry and handing over the data is unconstitutional.”
Certain laws need to be followed in order to meet this demand, he explained.
Privacy among the people will be eliminated if the security agencies' request is met, he noted.
Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui rejected the agencies' demands while Miqati insists that the work of those agencies shouldn't be disrupted.
“Ministers have to implement decisions before objecting, we can't obstruct the work of the security agencies,” Miqati said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper Tuesday.
The premier referred to Sehanoui on Monday a decision to hand over to security agencies the necessary telecom data according to article 140 of the wiretapping law, which specifies the protection of communication data.
Sehanoui had rejected the request made by Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, arguing that the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority didn't approve it.
“If they are not pleased with the minister's decision, then they should amend article 140 of the wiretapping law,” continued Aoun.
“They will then obtain the complete data and then be faced by human rights groups and the United Nations,” stated the MP.
Addressing Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi's visit to Damascus over the weekend, Aoun said: “We appreciate the visit and its results.”
“We hail the Christian meeting that took place, which demonstrated Christian unity and we hope that the outcome of the trip will reverberate across the region,” he added.
Al-Rahi traveled to Damascus on Saturday to attend the enthronement of Greek Orthodox leader Youhanna X Yazigi at the Church of the Holy Cross in Qassaa, which was held on Sunday.
Source: Naharnet
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