Intensified Contacts Precede Parliament Session, Geagea Says 'Full Victory' Achieved over Hybrid Law
The March 14 forces intensified their contacts on Tuesday in a bid to reach an agreement on a hybrid electoral law, as the Free Patriotic Movement called on the Christian political forces to confirm their commitment to the controversial Orthodox Gathering proposal.
In remarks to MTV on the eve of Wednesday's key parliamentary session, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said “agreeing on a hybrid law would be a major triumph for both proper representation and the consensual spirit."
“Had we secured (proper) representation without the consensual spirit, it would have been half a victory, and had we secured consensus without proper representation, it would have been half a defeat, but we have achieved a full victory in all aspects,” Geagea added.
MTV said the agreement involves a hybrid law under which 55% of MPs would be elected according to the winner-takes-all system and 45% according to proportional representation.
But it quoted Phalange Party sources as saying that the party is yet to approve the aforementioned agreement.
Meanwhile, caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour told LBCI television that “the agreement between Mustaqbal and the LF on the hybrid law is based on a formula under which 69 MPs would be elected according to the winner-takes-all system and 59 according to proportional representation,” revealing that “this proposal has received the Progressive Socialist Party's approval.”
Several meetings were held on Tuesday, including one between Geagea and caretaker Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil in Maarab.
Bassil also held talks in Saifi with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel; MPs Sami Gemayel and Samer Saade; and Phalange officials Sejaan Qazzi and Shaker Aoun. He declined to make a statement after the talks.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Phalange's Central House in Saifi witnessed a meeting between the party's officials and Mustaqbal bloc MP Ahmed Fatfat, who held talks hours earlier in the day with former premier Saad Hariri in Saudi Arabia.
MTV said round-the-clock contacts were held between Geagea and Hariri on Tuesday and overnight Monday.
The TV network also said LF bloc MP Antoine Zahra joined a meeting that was held at the Center House between ex-PM Fouad Saniora, head of the Mustaqbal bloc, and a number of lawmakers.
Speaker Nabih Berri had placed the controversial Orthodox Gathering proposal as a sole item on the agenda of Wednesday's plenary parliamentary session, despite the objections of many parties.
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