Miqati Agrees with Berri, al-Rahi on 'Complete Plan' to Resolve Electoral Law Dispute
Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Monday announced reaching a “complete plan” to resolve the dispute over the electoral law but declined to reveal its details.
MTV quoted Miqati as saying that his discussions in Rome with Speaker Nabih Berri and Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi “focused on the means to spare Lebanon any constitutional vacuum.”
“During the meeting, an agreement was reached on a complete, two-paper plan concerning the issue of the parliamentary elections, but I won't reveal the details to avoid obstructing it, and Cardinal al-Rahi will discuss it with the Christian parties in a bid to reach an agreement on an electoral law,” Miqati added, according to MTV.
In a statement issued later by his office, Miqati said: “We discussed several proposals but I will not reveal the details now, because the issue is now in the hands of His Eminence, and he will exert efforts with the components of parliament, especially the Christian parties, in a bid to reach the longed-for solution and approve a new electoral law that ensures proper representation for all the Lebanese and spares us a constitutional vacuum.”
Asked about the means to achieve the desired electoral consensus, Miqati said: “We discussed this issue and His Eminence will conduct the necessary contacts in this regard.”
Berri, Miqati and al-Rahi held a first round of deliberations on Sunday in Rome, where there will attend the inauguration mass of Pope Francis I on Tuesday.
The speaker expressed hope that the Lebanese parties would reach common ground over the electoral law, stressing that the cabinet will remain.
Consecutive meetings will be held between al-Rahi, Berri and Miqati, media reports said.
Al-Rahi, according to LBCI, revealed that Berri asked him to exert efforts to bridge the gap between the Lebanese foes over the electoral law.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/76067 |