Change and Reform To Attend Electoral Session 'Only if Circumstances Change'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Former Minister Salim Jreissati announced on Tuesday that the Change and Reform bloc MPs would not attend Thursday's session at the parliament to elect a new president if the same circumstances surrounding talks on the anticipated vote persisted.
“If the same circumstances persist, we will not attend Thursday's parliamentary session,” Jreissati said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting.
“And in case things change towards consensus, which we are looking for through dialogue and communication, we will be there at the parliament,” he added.
He explained that a consensual president is one who is capable of “joining together the country's factions and represent them in the best way.”
“He should also have the requirements of the Constitution's Article 49,” the former minister stated.
While MP Michel Aoun's bloc stressed its rejection of obstructing the work in the state's institutions, it noted, however, that lawmakers also reject elections that “harm the National Pact and the Lebanese political formula.”
The released statement said: “The bloc discussed the so-called quorum obstruction at the parliament to elect a new president, and we know that the people are now aware that this is not obstruction but we are holding onto the National Pact.”
“We were the first to reject the work suspension at the Constitutional Council, and the unconstitutional extension of the parliament's term,” the MPs remarked.
They will, however, be present at the parliament on Wednesday to listen to a letter by President Michel Suleiman addressed to the nation's lawmakers.
But Jreissati pointed out that Suleiman's message “came late.”
“It was absent at times when constitutional impasses prevailed in the country during his presidential term, and did not tackle the suspension of work at the Constitutional Council, but despite this we decided to exercise our political right and attend the session.”
The Parliament has repeatedly failed to elect a new president over differences between the March 14 and the March 8 coalitions.
The March 14 alliance has openly backed Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea for office, while their political foes have yet to announce their candidate.
But Aoun continuously said that he will not announce his candidacy for the presidency if there was no political consensus on him.
In the first electoral round, no nominee was able to gather the required number of votes to win the race. And quorum was not secured in the second, third and fourth rounds, which blocked the possibility of holding a voting session.
Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled Thursday, May 22, 2014 as a date for the fifth round of votes.
S.D.B.
Y.R.
20 May 2014, 19:05
411
cedre is not insulting the christians but you are indeed insulting the sunnis, who by the way, share the same prophet together with the shia.
By treating aoun of a judas, cedre is just saying that aoun is a traitor whose acts and stances are weakening the lebanese christians in particular and allowing the hegemony of hizbullah, syria and iran on lebanon.
20 May 2014, 19:37
43
Phil has a picture of Jesus as his avatar?
I've never seen a picture of Jesus before, I look forward to seeing that. I wonder where he did get this picture, since there were no iphones back then?
20 May 2014, 19:52
43
If you are really a Christian, you would know that Christians don't object to displays or symbols depicting Jesus or Mary. It is Muslims who object to displays of their prophet.
20 May 2014, 20:05
52
Come on people, this is silly, you did this and I did that, let's all stop being so flippin righteous, enough with the insults, everyone, it doesn't matter who started, enough already, acting like 8 year olds!!!
20 May 2014, 20:13
14
Can you actually post a link to anyone that actually made an offensive remark against christians using an offensive avatar? Or the other way around, and I will join you in bashing them and belittling them
20 May 2014, 20:22
14
Roar, what's the matter with you man? Can you actually have a conversation with someone without insulting them? Let's take this a step back, I'm agreeing with you, nobody should insult any religion, all I'm saying is that I, personally, humbly, have not seen it by anyone yet on this forum. Are you going to bring down your aggressive style a notch or maybe you would rather I do not address you at all? Whatever you feel man, no hard feelings
20 May 2014, 20:23
33
Mr Bore.... try a little honesty. I know you have trouble with that.
1. The 2 posters you refer to are not "using these avatars to insult Christians". I haven't seen a post from either of them insulting Christians.
2. Their avatars are not mocking Christianity in any way.
3. You object to Phil's political viewpoint because it is different than yours, not because of his avatar.
4. Regarding the person you refer to as Bani... also known as Ibin..., I believe he uses a picture of former Patriarch Sfeir as his avatar. Sfeir was known for being anti-Syrian and pro-Lebanese. As far as I can tell, Ibin uses this avatar as a sign of respect for Sfeir because of his anti-Syrian views, not disrespect.
My suggestion for you Mr Bore is that you should try to be more honest with yourself, and try to embrace some Christian values. This will help you sleep better at night.
20 May 2014, 21:28
11
ya asad inta, he didn't insult Christians, however you insulted his religion, people like you are what's wrong with Lebanon, just because you like Aoun does not mean that he is Jesus Christ! Not just because someone insults him you start saying despicable religious insults. In the end so long as people are as tolerant as you are, we will never have a country and please don't call yourself Christian!
20 May 2014, 18:43
37
Very childish. They will obstruct the entire government if their party wishes are not met. Very childish, not worthy of national leadership.
20 May 2014, 18:44
37
They should perform their duty as Deputies, attend the sessions, place their candidate, Aoun, into nomination, engage the electoral process and if he wins he wins and if he loses, he loses. But either way Lebanon wins because the democratic processes would have been used to elect the President.
20 May 2014, 18:45
37
Only the Sheeple know that this is not obstruction. The people know much better.
20 May 2014, 20:10
34
Can an M8 supporter please explain to me why does their party not go to the parliament and vote against Geagea? I swear I just want to understand what is the reason behind this obstruction, call it whatever you want to call it, why can't they just do what every respectable parliamentary does and go vote for whoever they believe should be president!!! I though they're the ones that had the majority, or am I wrong in assuming this? Please refrain from insults, this is an objective question that does not endorse anyone, other than Chuck Norris
20 May 2014, 20:16
43
roar what's with the aggression man? Thank you for your reply, I'm just asking a question, relax
20 May 2014, 20:26
32
Ok, let's bring this conversation up a level. What are your thoughts on Nelson Mandela? A convicted murderer and gang member, who fought for what he thought was right. I am not in any way or form making a comparison between two individuals, but rather following your logic of a convicted criminal should not be allowed to be a candidate. Is there an actual law against what you claim? These are the lawmakers, they should know
20 May 2014, 20:28
42
My apologies roar, I just seen your remark that you would rather I do not address you, nevermind.
20 May 2014, 20:57
41
PB.... when you say something bad about Hezbollah, you will get attacked by "Christian" and "atheist" Hezbollah supporters like Mr Bore.
This is the reason why "Kumbaya" philosophy doesn't work when people like Mr Bore pollutes this website.
20 May 2014, 21:02
41
Haha, where did u see kumbaya philiosophy man??? I felt sorry for him at the start being attacked by everyone, but I see why now. I'm a realist buddy, and a big fan of Dostoevsky and Sartre and Nietzsche, but definitely not kumbaya.
20 May 2014, 21:08
32
Again roar, why are you claiming that I claimed to be a neutral? How am I a fake? Fake what man? What are you talking about like, seriously, u need a hug, some education, and lots of love
20 May 2014, 21:19
42
I'm gonna entertain you just for the sake of it, just in case it might help you out or clarify things for other conspiracy theorists and lowlives like yourself. Not supporting M8 does not mean supporting M14. Why on earth would I risk the wrath of the whole lot of you? I have had on this forum more heated debates with M14ers than M8ers. And what agenda? You think you're a very intelligent person anyway so you don't have to worry about that. Now roar let's move on, you think very lowly of me and I think you are a proof of devolution
20 May 2014, 23:48
22
What is it that you are a fan of flame? His racial cleansing? The fact that he would have made you into soap or some medical experiment? Or do you think you're from a superior race? Oh wait, I see, you're a fan of his jewish genocide are you? Please enlighten me man, at least this will bring us away from the boredom of lebanese politics.
20 May 2014, 20:54
44
roar you are a religious extremist and a racist, it does not matter what religion or what race, you have lost your right to be respected, you are the scum of the earth because of your extremist beliefs. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when an opinion becomes a message of hatred, they lose that right. I have never claimed to be a nice guy by the way.
20 May 2014, 20:57
10
When you see such a cheap conference room, you can't take these people seriously.....and I mean it.
20 May 2014, 21:40
50
So back to things that matter, can anybody see yet that there's no way out of this debacle with the two M candidates? What happens after sleiman leaves and there's no president elected btw? What's the legal process?
20 May 2014, 21:55
50
I meant legally, not politically, anyone knows what the constitution says?
20 May 2014, 22:30
44
"Consensual" for M8 and their supporters = "My way or the Highway at gunpoint". M8 folks do not understand innon de3ssen 3ala ra2bit half the citizens at gunpoint. They will never understand that whether they call us takfiri, zionists, saudi lap dogs, cannibals or battikh emasmar that I will never stop resisting the "Resistance". I don't care what they say or do or how they justify their oppression, I am oppressed by their HA weapons and I will never surrender. Without your weapons you have no power over me. La ghaleb, wala maghloub is the fabric of our beloved Lebanon maheik? but M8 seems to have forgotten this and as long as I am maghloub, I will RESIST lies, propaganda and subjugation by a group of mercenary terrorist militia that is as foreign from our Lebanese society as an elephant on Mars. Point final! Enjoy your oppression M8, nothing is forever!
20 May 2014, 23:30
24
I will never ever accept oppression and tyranny Mr. the_roar...enjoy supporting terrorist holding us hostages while it lasts. I cannot believe you are proud to be a member of the group that oppresses half the citizen of the country at gunpoint. I will try and live with it until I can change it. You will never know when I will rise, how I will rise and what I will achieve...my dream is alive: 10,452 of free sovereign territory under one government elected by free people to serve their best interests, dreams and prosperity. No surrender, not by a long shot. Your day will come.
20 May 2014, 22:42
43
the_roar has posted over 40 comments on this article, yet he constantly
tells others to get a life :-)
Mr. Snore your pompous comments are nothing new, but today you have outdone
yourself with these blatantly racist posts.
Hopefully Naharnet will ban you... Start thinking about adding wings to
your handle, maybe something like this ~the_Roar!~
21 May 2014, 08:19
22
If you say so flamethrower--, after all you are the expert in diving into sewers.
20 May 2014, 23:00
32
As long as there are people supporting aoun and geagea for no other reason than supporting them we will never have a country. Can u not see that there is no solution with them two? How can you sincerely love your country yet hate your countrymen so passionately? I still think this is out of our hands, but Iwill keep believing that all of you will wake up one day and see how foolish it is to follow these men after what they've done to the country, and what they haven't done.
20 May 2014, 23:03
41
As much as I disagree with HA, at least they don't hide behind their little finger like these two men that so many worship like gods. It is fascinating how you can believe they have the solution, or that any if them is "made in Lebanon" president material
20 May 2014, 23:18
50
Wolf u serious? Do u actually endorse roar's views posted above? All of them? You are well capable of a civilized debate man
21 May 2014, 00:13
21
Yeah thx for the heads up on that. Still though, you don't come across as racist sectarian, and that's what some of roar's post were, I can copy and paste if you like but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I can debate and argue all day long in a civilised manner, and you honestly seemed like that type of person, therefore my surprise. Otherwise I will take your advice and be more patient until I understand the dynamic of this forum, for the sole reason of not being mistakenly associated with anyone I wouldn't like to be associated with. I thank you for your reply.
21 May 2014, 00:15
22
I don't know who FT is but I doubt there is anything worse than a racist religious extremist sectarian, I mean can there be? I hope I am wrong about him.
21 May 2014, 00:30
22
FT is flamethrower, he has similar views to the roar. They defend the Hezbollah alliance like no tomorrow.
21 May 2014, 00:55
12
By the way wolf, daniel never fought any lions in any arenas, he was condemned to the lions' den where he prayed for his god and his god shut the lions' mouths. Great read actually, quite entertaining.
