FPM Submits Challenge against Parliament's Term Extension
A delegation from the Free Patriotic Movement submitted on Monday before the Constitutional Council a challenge against the parliament''s term extension.
“We consider this moment crucial,” FPM lawmaker Ibrahim Kanaan told reporters, expressing hope that justice and the constitution would prevail.
He pointed out that the challenge is justified and comprehensive, pointing out that the “delicate security situation must not be determined by anyone.”
“The constitutional council is the guardian of democracy,” the MP said.
He rejected accusations that the challenge is based on “political grounds.”
The parliament's decision to postpone the upcoming elections and extend its term 17 months because of deteriorating security conditions related to Syria's turmoil was officially announced and published in the official gazette on Saturday.
Friday's extension decision comes after rival blocs in the legislature failed to agree on a new elections law.
Both pro- and anti-Syrian blocs in parliament agreed on the extension, with one exception being the Free Patriotic Movement of MP Michel Aoun, which has the second largest bloc in parliament.
President Michel Suleiman also submitted on Saturday an appeal to challenge the parliament's decision to extend its mandate, calling on the Constitutional Council to “legally and neutrally” study this file.
Aoun and Suleiman have previously said they will challenge the extension, although that is unlikely to affect Friday's decision given the size of the majority.
Ninety-seven legislators in the 128-seat body voted to extend parliament's term until November 20, 2014, in a session that lasted only 10 minutes.
The decision, which had been expected, marks the first time that parliament has had to extend its term since the country's own 15-year civil war ended in 1990, and underlines the growing turmoil in the country spilling over from the conflict in its neighbor.
It is widely seen as a blow to Lebanon's tradition of free elections, but it may help lower tensions at a critical time for the fragile and deeply divided country.
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