Suleiman Says May Call for Dialogue Soon, Proposes Amending the Constitution
President Michel Suleiman said on Tuesday that he hopes he will be able to call for a national dialogue session “soon” to discuss the defense strategy and find solutions to the current political crises.
“Launching serious and all-encompassing dialogue sessions and supporting the state are among the Lebanese people's goals. This dream can come true if wills and capabilities were united,” Suleiman said at an Iftar banquet in Baabda Palace.
The Iftar was attended by Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati and premier-designate Tamam Salam, in addition to several political and religious figures.
Suleiman reiterated calls for abiding by the Baabda Declaration, urging factions to commit to it “in words and in deeds.”
He noted that the international community “keeps voicing support for the declaration.”
“Could the United Nations Security Council's member states be more keen on the Lebanese people's security and safety than the Lebanese themselves?” he asked.
“We agreed in the Baabda Declaration on disassociating Lebanon from regional events, and preventing the transfer of weapons through the country to Syria and on continuing the discussion on the defense strategy,” Suleiman pointed out.
He asked: “Who put Lebanese factions in a confrontation with each others and used expressions of treason in the political speech, and overthrew the parliamentary elections and allowed the involvement in military activities on the border?'
"Each one must consider the dangers of their actions before it is too late.”
The Baabda Declaration was unanimously adopted during a national dialogue session in June 2012. It calls for Lebanon to disassociate itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.
The president announced that he will come forward with a suggestion for discussion to amend some articles of the constitution.
He explained: “The problems that accompanied the work of the Constitutional Council show the need to revise the law that tackles the council's formation, regarding the distribution of its members and the authorities of the legislative and executive powers.”
He added that the “first sign of reform is an electoral law that allows for questioning.”
“It is the responsibility of the parliament to produce this kind of an electoral law,” he said.
Suleiman called for showing “unconditional support to the army that has given many martyrs for the country's sake.”
He continued: “We must support the military institution so that it could impose security, protect civil peace and confront the enemy.”
He also urged political factions “to be responsible and facilitate the premier-designate's mission and trust him.”
“There are no alternatives to forming a national unity cabinet.”
Source: Naharnet
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