Plumbly Meets Gemayel, Encourages All Sides to Make Every Effort to Reach Consensus on Electoral Law
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly stressed on Wednesday the need for the parliamentary elections to be held “within the constitutional and legal timeframe” in order to maintain democracy and stability in Lebanon.
He said after holding talks with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel: “We encourage all political parties in Lebanon to make every effort to achieve consensus on a new electoral law.”
“We closely monitor all issues related to upcoming elections in Lebanon because this is a matter of concern for the international community,” he added.
Asked about the adoption of the Orthodox Gathering electoral law on Tuesday, Plumbly replied: “Naturally this is an issue for the Lebanese and for the Lebanese parties represented in parliament. But we believe it is important for the law to be based on consensus and for elections to take place in the timeframe I described.”
The Orthodox Gathering proposal calls for a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.
It was adopted by the joint committees on Tuesday despite the withdrawal of al-Mustaqbal, National Struggle Front and independent opposition Christian lawmakers from the session, who have repeatedly warned that its adoption would fuel sectarian divisions in Lebanon.
Plumbly's discussions with Gemayel also addressed the impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon and the issue of the Syrian refugees, both from a humanitarian perspective and that of the challenge it presents to Lebanon and the assistance the U.N. is providing.
“In the context of recent reports, particularly with respect to activities near Lebanon’s eastern borders, I stressed the importance the United Nations attaches to Lebanon’s sovereignty and integrity and to all political parties in Lebanon respecting the Baabda Declaration,” stressed Plumbly.
He made his remarks in light of a Hizbullah official revealing Sunday that three Lebanese Shiites had been killed in fighting in Syria and as the Syrian opposition accused the Lebanese group of intervening on the side of the regime.
The official said they were acting in "self-defense,” without specifying if they were Hizbullah members.
The Syrian opposition has long accused the group of helping the Syrian leadership crack down on the uprising — a claim the group has repeatedly denied.
In the Baabda Declaration, rival March 8 and 14 alliance leaders affirmed their commitment to the Taef Accord and agreed to distance Lebanon from regional and international conflicts.
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