Change and Reform Calls for Preserving Coexistence, Implementing Constitution
The Change and Reform bloc held on Monday onto its proposal to allow the people to choose their "true" representatives, calling on the implementation of the constitution to preserve coexistence.
“The bloc made more than one initiative” to end the presidential deadlock and “return to the Lebanese in general and the Christians in particular their right to choose a president and have a good representation,” said MP Ibrahim Kanaan.
Following an extraordinary meeting held by the bloc, Kanaan read a statement “urging all blocs to preserve Lebanon and its coexistence and to steer clear of personal and sectarian interests.”
The statement also urged “the people to elect their true representatives as stipulated by the constitution” and called for an “end to the policy of dominance to preserve the rights” of the Lebanese.
Change and Reform MPs submitted a draft-law in August under which the Lebanese would elect their president in two rounds.
The draft-law was based on a proposal made by the head of the bloc, Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun, to resolve the presidential deadlock.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since May when President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended with MPs unable to find a successor over their differences on a compromise candidate.
Kanaan said letters were sent to Arab leaders in July to guarantee the implementation of the Taef Accord.
In relation to that, the bloc will follow-up the meetings of the Constitutional Council on the appeal that it has made against the extension of parliament's term, the MP said.
Change and Reform lawmakers believe “the Council's judges have a historic role in ending the violation of the constitution.”
The bloc will hold open-ended meetings pending a decision by the council on the extension appeal, said Kanaan.
The parliament extended its term earlier this month until June 2017 despite the boycott of the Change and Reform bloc and Kataeb MPs.
Two others voted against the law but 95 lawmakers extended their own terms for the second time, giving them a full eight years in power— double their allowed mandate.
Kanaan reiterated that the parliament “lacked legitimacy” and called on the Constitutional Council judges to “preserve the constitution.”
The Council has so far held two meetings to discuss the appeal against the extension law.
G.K.
M.T.
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