Change and Reform Bloc Requests 'Clarifications' on Arsal Clashes, Militants' Escape
The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Tuesday asked official authorities to provide explanations on the circumstances of the latest clashes between army troops and extremist militants in the northeastern border town of Arsal, requesting also information on the gunmen's withdrawal along with the kidnapped soldiers.
Free Patriotic Movement leader “MP (Michel) Aoun warned last week of negotiating with terrorists and said that what is needed is supporting the army and finding radical solutions, which means informing citizens about what is happening and what are the responsibilities and what is the battle's fate,” MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting.
He elaborated: “The first question is; who is responsible for the militants' withdrawal and where are the kidnapped soldiers? We want an official explanation from concerned authorities. We ask, who are these authorities?”
“This is a national issue that concerns the entire country,” he stated.
Kanaan continued: “The second question; who is responsible for using the kidnapped soldiers' case as an issue to pressure the Lebanese state?”
“There are conditions imposed on the state and these involve prisoners in Roumieh and some Islamists... This issue needs to be clarified,” he said, stressing that it is the MPs' “duty to ask about these issues on behalf of the Lebanese people.”
The bloc also discussed several pending social and political matters in the country, including the presidential elections and talks about extending the parliament's term for the second time, as well as the contentious new wage scale impasse.
“Today there was a parliamentary session to elect a president and a proposal was made by (Zahle) MP (Nicolas) Fattoush to extend the parliament's term... and we heard some parties justifying the second extension of the mandate.”
“Are they banking on overthrowing the constitution?” he asked, referring to politicians supporting parliamentary extension. “Bidding on national and constitutional matters is rejected.”
He went on to say: “We are against messing with the constitution especially when it is harmful and violates the rotation of power and democracy. There are other options like adopting a new electoral law, or electing a president by the people.”
Kanaan mentioned MP Aoun's proposal of holding popular presidential elections, saying it was a mean to “free the presidency from political considerations.”
“Why was this issue rejected? This is what led to vacuum,” he said.
On the new wage scale crisis, Kanaan said: “The law that was adopted at the parliament was reached after an agreement between political parties and contract workers. It was amended upon adoption to respond to contract workers' requests.”
He added: “Today there is a chance to find a solution for the new wage scale impasse without violating the rights of teachers, administrators, military personnel, and students.”
We need to benefit from this opportunity, the Change and Reform bloc MP declared.
He called on parliamentary blocs who “have not given their approval on a final formula of the new wage scale that safeguards rights and takes capacities and reform into consideration to work on finding a final solution that can be useful for everyone.”
“Only then will official exams be liberated from all impasses and the state's treasury will be safeguarded,” he stressed.
“A legislative session at the parliament can take place at any time and what is required is meeting quorum and adopting the new wage scale,” Kanaan remarked.
“This issue must be dealt with from a national perspective and without any political considerations.”
S.D.B.
M.T.
Source: Naharnet
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