Al-Rahi and Audeh Support Fair Electoral Law that Preserves Coexistence
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Audeh have expressed support to a parliamentary draft-law that preserves coexistence.
“Bkirki is neither with an Orthodox proposal nor with a Maronite proposal,” al-Liwaa daily quoted al-Rahi as saying on Friday.
The Maronite church “only supports a Lebanese proposal,” he said.
Audeh also told al-Liwaa that he wouldn't back any draft-law that doesn't preserve coexistence among the Lebanese.
Al-Mustaqbal daily quoted sources close to Audeh as saying that the Orthodox sect does not accept the proposal for deepening divisions among the confessions.
Their remarks came over differences between Lebanon's different factions on the Orthodox Gathering proposal that won the support of the rival Christian parties – the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Phalange and the Marada - during a meeting they held under Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi last Sunday.
The Orthodox proposal and two other draft-laws are under discussion by rival MPs from the March 8 alliance and the March 14 opposition coalition during intense meetings held by a parliamentary subcommittee.
Change and Reform bloc MP Alain Aoun, who suspended his participation in the meetings on Thursday, told Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that al-Rahi supports any draft-law that represents the Lebanese fairly.
“He doesn't have an opinion on any of the suggested draft-laws,” he said.
March 14 Christian politicians, al-Mustaqbal bloc, and MP Walid Jumblat’s National Struggle Front have criticized the Orthodox proposal for allegedly deepening sectarian divisions.
Al-Mustaqbal and Jumblat have also criticized a bill approved by the cabinet and referred to parliament, saying they totally reject proportionality.
The cabinet's draft-law divides Lebanon into 13 electoral districts based on a propositional representation system. Another proposal has been made by March 14 Christian MPs to adopt the winner-takes-all system and divide the country into 50 small-sized districts.
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