Miqati Urges Lebanese Immigrants to Participate in Next Parliamentary Elections

Prime Minister Najib Miqati called on Lebanese immigrants on Saturday to register their names with related embassies to be able to participate in the 2013 parliamentary elections, assuring that the diplomatic appointments will take shape soon.

Miqati addressed the Lebanese community during a dinner banquet in DR Congo, he said: “register your names with the Lebanese embassies and missions to participate in the parliamentary elections next year,” he said on Friday evening.

Miqati also announced that the diplomatic appointments will be issued soon, "which enhances the Lebanese diplomatic activity after a period of stagnation and recession."

He urged all immigrants to participate in the voting process and register their names until the parliament approves the new electoral draft law.

The Council of Ministers approved in April a polling mechanism for the expatriates in the 2013 parliamentary elections, and approved in August to add 6 deputies to represent the expatriate which totals the number of MPs to 134.

The government also approved in August a parliamentary electoral law based on proportional representation and 13 electoral districts, that was criticized by March 14 alliance and Head of the National Struggle Front Deputy Walid Jumblatt.

Miqati left Friday for DR Congo to participate in the three day summit of French-speaking nations. Leaders from 75-nation Francophonie will participate in the summit and Miqati is expected to deliver a speech Saturday afternoon.