MPs Elect Parliament Bureau, Committee Members ahead of Expected Mandate Extension

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Parliament's bureau members were reelected during a short session on Tuesday as a first implicit step towards a second extension of the legislature's term.

MPs also elected the heads, members and rapporteurs of 16 parliamentary committees in line with the internal system.

Speaker Nabih Berri hoped in remarks to the lawmakers that they “would agree on everything including the election of a president.”

Parliamentary sessions on the election of a head of state have been paralyzed over the differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances on a compromise candidate.

Their dispute left Baabda Palace vacant since the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's six-year term end of May.

Tuesday's session was seen as a first tacit move towards the extension of the parliament's term, which is likely to take place end of the month.

Poor security and a disagreement among rival MPs over a draft-law on the elections forced the extension last year.

The same political blocs are now demanding that the polls, which are set for November, be held even even if they failed to elect a successor to Suleiman.

Others are calling for the extension of the legislature’s term for more than two years under the excuse that the security situation does not permit to hold the polls.

Berri discussed the issue with al-Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora and deputy Speaker MP Farid Makari following Tuesday's short session.

A draft-law proposed by Zahle MP Nicolas Fattoush calls for an extension of two years and seven months.

Fattoush's proposal in addition to another draft-law suggested by the Lebanese Forces - to amend the legal deadline to run in the elections and form a committee to supervise the polls - are expected to top the agenda of next week's session.

G.K.

H.K.

Comments 10
Default-user-icon Sebouh80 (Guest) 21 October 2014, 14:46

This entire episode is nothing but farce that is to say the least. What is urgently needed at the moment is a removal of these 128 so called deputies from the parliament because their remaining in office violates the will of the people.

Besides, I need to ask a simple question for those people who seem to be rather disturbed with my daily comments about the corrupt Lebanese political system. Imagine, for one moment that those Lebanese employees who are working in the Gulf are not productive and instead of their employers firing them they decide to renew their contracts and ask for a pay raise,so would that seem fair I ask to those who are disliking my comments?.

Default-user-icon CFTC-Sebouh80 (Guest) 21 October 2014, 17:20

I don't have a problem with your comments, I have a problem with you stealing my guest name. Please, choose another name, any old name like Abbas Madras or Jaafar Antar or whatever, but why my name?!!!!

Thumb ado.australia 21 October 2014, 17:40

well put Sebouh80

Default-user-icon Victoria (Guest) 21 October 2014, 14:57

How can they agree on voting themselves up without voting for a presidential candidate?

Thumb ado.australia 21 October 2014, 16:01

There's is no excuse for the extension of parliament.... No agreement on a new electoral means using the same previous and still existing law! It doesn't matter any longer who the new president is coz he will be elected by an illegitimate parliament! Whether Aoun or geagea or helou, any president will be elected by an illegitimate parliament. Extending president Michel Suliman's term would have been better.

Why not just cancel all future elections and keep the same parliamentary members that represent themselves! Please let the army declare a coup and save Lebanon from this charade!

Thumb ado.australia 21 October 2014, 17:23

It happened previously with General Fouad Chehab and it worked with great effect. It wouldn't necessary mean Khawagie as president but they could appoint a caretaker neutral and consensus president like Ziad Baroud who had the backing of the LAF to appoint a government and fix the systems that sectarian politics cant. The people are sick of the political system... they need is the grand mufti and batrak backing. Hezbollah and the shiites know they cant oppose the LAF without losing all legitimacy and Christian support!

Default-user-icon nabih le roi (Guest) 21 October 2014, 17:01

child you obviously don't live in Lebanon

Default-user-icon flamethrowerbemosss (Guest) 21 October 2014, 17:23

were you banned again flamethrower?

Thumb ado.australia 21 October 2014, 17:24

True Flamethrower... especially that the key ingredient to this sabotage is Berri and the AMAL movement.

Missing peace 21 October 2014, 18:39

but still he is on M8 side! LOL