Berri Says Elections on Time as West 'Warns against New Extension'
Speaker Nabih Berri has reassured that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be held on time as Western embassies have reportedly warned against any new extension of the legislature's term.
“Holding the elections on time has become a confirmed issue and the polls will definitely be organized, and no one can act against that,” Berri told ad-Diyar newspaper in remarks published Sunday.
The speaker hoped the preparations for the electoral juncture will move forward at all levels without any “hurdles or obstacles.”
Western ambassadors in Beirut meanwhile strongly warned Lebanese officials against a new extension of parliament's term, ad-Diyar reported.
“European countries and the United States consider Lebanon a democratic country and they want to help it... but the extension of parliament's term represented a blow to democracy in Lebanon and gave a signal to Europe and the U.S. that democracy was deteriorating in Lebanon,” the newspaper quoted the ambassadors as saying.
“Any extension of parliament's term and delay of elections will be a black point for democracy in Lebanon. This will push European countries and the U.S. to deal negatively with Lebanon, stop labeling it a democratic country, and accuse President Michel Aoun's tenure of failing to preserve democracy in Lebanon,” ad-Diyar added.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/236453 |