Qaouq Says Hizbullah 'Optimistic' on Electoral Law, 'No Problem' with FPM

Senior Hizbullah official Sheikh Nabil Qaouq announced Sunday that there is a “real chance” to agree on a new electoral law, while stressing that there is no dispute between Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement over the issue.

“The president's stance provided a real, serious and new chance for consensus on a new electoral law, and accordingly the course of consensus is advancing,” Qaouq said.

“The remaining or new obstacles are not in the court of Hizbullah and its allies in the AMAL Movement or the FPM, and those who were betting on disputes between Hizbullah and the FPM were expressing their ignorance or bad intentions, because there is no problem between Hizbullah and the FPM over the electoral law seeing as the problem is somewhere else,” the Hizbullah official added.

He noted that his party will continue its efforts and discussions with all political forces “in order to rescue the country before May 15.”

“There is a real chance for consensus and optimism is growing day after day,” he added.

President Michel Aoun had on Wednesday invoked his constitutional powers to suspend parliament for one month and prevent it from extending its own term for a third time in less than four years.

The political forces are supposed to use the one-month grace period to reach an agreement on a new electoral law.