Differences on Electoral Quorum Dominate National Dialogue
Discussions on reviving the role of parliament and on the quorum needed to hold the presidential elections were at the center of discussions of a national dialogue session held at Speaker Nabih Berri's residence on Wednesday.
LBCI television reported that differences emerged between the gatherers on the quorum needed at parliament to hold the polls, with some sides being accused of deliberately obstructing the elections.
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said after the talks: “Obstructing quorum is a constitutional right.”
“Those accusing us of obstruction are the ones who are violating the National Pact and the will of the people,” he told reporters.
LBCI said that a dispute erupted at the dialogue between the minister and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh on constitutionality at the presidential elections.
Bassil attended the talks as a representative of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun.
According to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), Franjieh told Bassil: “No one can restrict Christian representation to one person and no one can eliminate us.”
“The errors of the Taef accord are a product of Aoun's actions,” he added.
The accord was adopted in 1989 to end the Lebanese civil war.
On reviving parliament, Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb demanded that parliament be primarily used to elect a new head of state.
“It should not be exploited to hinder the polls,” he stressed.
Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Ali Fayyad later stated that parliament should be revitalized similar to cabinet.
“Parliament should be revived, but some differences remain over this issue,” he acknowledged.
The next dialogue session was scheduled for March 30.
Two-thirds of lawmakers, or 86 MPs, are needed in order for the presidential elections to be held.
The Change and Reform and Loyalty to the Resistance blocs have been boycotting the polls over lingering disputes.
The Hizbullah bloc had announced that it will not attend the elections until guarantees are made to ensure that its candidate and ally, Aoun, is victorious in the presidential race.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.
Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the polls.
M.T.
G.K.
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