Al-Rahi Advises Officials to 'Avoid Extension, Vacuum'

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi advised political parties on Tuesday to reach a new voting system for the upcoming parliamentary polls and avoid an extension of the parliament’s term or vacuum at the legislative authority.

“I don't support the 1960 electoral law. I have always reiterated that I support an agreement on a new voting system,” said Rahi before departing to Rome on a visit that will last for a few days.

He clarified saying: “What I said before was that instead of extending the parliament's term or engage into vacuum, the current law (1960) still lingers but I never said I supported it.”

“There are more than 25 draft laws out of which only one is legal which is the one issued during the government of PM (Najib) Miqati and presented by then Minister Marwan Charbel,” Rahi pointed out.

Miqati's “law derives its legitimacy from the fact that it was voted and approved by the government and referred to the parliament, but the latter did not vote on,” he added.

The Patriarch concluded urging political parties to avoid extension of the parliament and vacuum, “it is better to agree on a new law," he remarked.

Al-Rahi has perpetually said he does not tolerate an extension of parliament's term, as he called for an electoral law that does not “eliminate” any Lebanese component.