Hariri Voices Support for Civil Marriage, Suggests Small-Districts Electoral Law, Senate Representing Sects
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday called for electing a senate representing the various Lebanese sects according to the Orthodox Gathering's proposal and a parliament based on small districts, in the first TV interview in almost a year.
In an initiative he launched during an interview on LBCI, Hariri said that a “real solution” for the concerns of Christians would be “holding elections on time under an electoral law based on small electoral districts -- which would ensure proper representation for all regions, groups and religious communities -- and creating a senate that represents all religions and sects in Lebanon as stipulated by the Taef Accord.”
The creation of the senate would happen “after making a constitutional amendment that suspends the clause on abolishing political sectarianism for a period of time accepted by all parties,” Hariri added.
“Through this senate, the religious communities would perform an essential constitutional duty relating to protecting Lebanon's identity, role, cultural message and coexistence,” the ex-PM said, adding that the senate would enjoy veto power concerning resolutions relating to these principles.
Hariri's initiative also calls for “addressing the chronic complaints of all Lebanese regions and groups concerning developmental and administrative obstacles by immediately implementing Taef Accord's stipulations relating to expanded administrative decentralization.”
It also calls for “adding the Baabda Declaration to the preamble of the constitution.”
“A senate would justly represent religious communities and address Christian concerns, which the 1960 law failed to do,” Hariri said.
“Continuous dialogue with our allies is essential, and I have discussed with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel (on Monday) many issues on the Lebanese scene, including the upcoming elections,” he added.
Asked about his relation with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, whom he met on Tuesday in Paris, Hariri said: “Jumblat is a friend and he stood by us after the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri and we cannot forget that he was an important member of the March 14 coalition.”
Commenting on the Orthodox Gathering's draft electoral law, under which each sect would elect its own representatives, Hariri said: “The image of Christian-Muslim co-existence marked the beginning of my political career and we cannot give this up.”
“We have a responsibility as politicians and we cannot deny that both Christian and Muslim communities have concerns,” he added.
“Extremism in the country has developed out of a feeling of injustice. Possessing weapons and becoming extremists will not do any good while moderation is essential,” Hariri went on to say.
“I understand Christians' concerns but we have to deal with them in a moderate way,” he stressed, while admitting that “there is a real problem in the current representation of Christians.”
But the former premier added that “it is our duty to preserve Lebanon's unity and to prevent disintegration and division.”
He noted that President Michel Suleiman was “the first person to reject the Orthodox Gathering's proposal and he was talking out of his belief in the best interest of all Lebanese people.”
“We have the same position as President Suleiman regarding the Orthodox proposal,” Hariri added.
“We want true representation and we reject the Orthodox draft because it differentiates between Muslims and Christians, which is a disgrace,” he went on to say.
“True representation would not be achieved by dividing Lebanon and abandoning March 14's image of united communities. If we are really serious about communities' concerns, establishing a senate is a must,” Hariri explained.
He noted that Speaker Nabih Berri is “playing a national role” and that the Mustaqbal Movement is “ready to give sacrifices but not at the expense of Lebanon's interest.”
Commenting on the various points of view in the March 14 camp on the issue of the electoral law, Hariri said: “We must take into consideration that there are different viewpoints in the March 14 coalition, as it is formed of parties and independent figures.”
He added that while “70 MPs will vote in favor of the Orthodox Gathering's draft electoral law, it will face the veto of President Suleiman, PSP leader Jumblat and Mustaqbal.”
Asked what the March 14 camp would do if it won the 2013 elections, Hariri said: “We will extend our hand to the other camp but there will be no one-third veto power in the upcoming government.”
Answering another question, Hariri added: “I did regret my visit to Syria, but I went there for the sake of Lebanon.”
“I will return to Lebanon soon but it's up to me to decide on the exact moment,” he said. Asked if that would happen before the elections, Hariri replied: “Inshallah (God willing).”
On the conflict in Syria, Hariri said: “It is a revolution and we have no doubt that it is the same regime that has been killing Lebanese figures since the assassination of Kamal Jumblat.”
“The Syrian regime will fall soon and this will reveal the secrets behind all assassinations and crimes,” he added, noting that “the same killers assassinated both Rafik Hariri and Wissam al-Hasan, and the latter was murdered for uncovering the Michel Samaha-Mamlouk plot.”
“If Assad had a grain of sanity he would have left Syria. It is a corrupt and murderous regime and the Syrian people will emerge victorious,” said Hariri. “Assad's corrupted regime fights and kills its own people while it does not stand up to Israeli violation of Syrian airspace,” he added.
He noted that “it is a humanitarian and ethical duty to stand by the Syrian people and this is what MP Oqab Saqr is doing.”
Asked about the controversial topic of legalizing civil marriage in Lebanon, Hariri said: “Labeling people as apostates is not acceptable and addressing civil marriage in the approach (Grand) Mufti (Sheikh Mohammed Rashid) Qabbani took is also rejected.”
“Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey are all Islamic countries that adopt civil marriage. Will Qabbani consider their people apostates?” Hariri asked rhetorically.
“The mufti's remarks are unacceptable and I would say the same thing if he was in our political camp,” he added.
“There is a dispute over civil marriage in Lebanon, but there are young men and women who want to wed in a civil marriage. My personal stance is that there must be civil marriage in Lebanon, but we must first reach an agreement,” said Hariri.
"Personally I do not accept that my children marry in a civil union, but a deputy is a representative of the entire nation and of all people," he stressed.
-
31 January 2013, 23:57
Hariri: We hope Hizbullah is not behind Bulgaria's bombing because its involvement would be a catastrophic thing.
-
31 January 2013, 23:53
Hariri: I will never leave the March 14 coalition and the coalition's vision.
-
31 January 2013, 23:46
Hariri: President Suleiman is acting whilst taking into consideration Lebanon's best interest and I respect him and his work.
-
31 January 2013, 23:36
Hariri: Personally I do not accept that my children marry in a civil union, but a deputy is a representative of the entire nation and of all people.
-
31 January 2013, 23:35
Hariri: Despite the different views on civil marriage I support debating it and going through with it.
-
31 January 2013, 23:33
Hariri: There are many aspects in Lebanon that are not legal from a Muslim perspective.
-
31 January 2013, 23:32
Hariri: Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey are all Islamic countries that adopt civil marriage. Will Qabbani consider their people apostates?
-
31 January 2013, 23:31
Hariri on civil marriage: Labeling people as apostates is not acceptable and addressing civil marriage in the approach Mufti Qabbani took is also rejected.
-
31 January 2013, 23:29
Hariri: I have personal problems with Hizbullah only as members of the party are accused of killing my father.
-
31 January 2013, 23:22
Hariri: I believe in democracy and we respect the elections' results.
-
31 January 2013, 23:22
Hariri: I have worked on the issue of the kidnapped pilgrims since the beginning and I have urged Interior Minister Marwan Charbel to do the same.
-
31 January 2013, 23:21
Hariri: PM Miqati should have taken a national stand after the assassination of Wissam al-Hasan to relieve the tension in the country.
-
31 January 2013, 23:20
Hariri: PM Najib Miqati can gain regional and international support but what matters is his popularity in Lebanon.
-
31 January 2013, 23:20
Hariri: If we win the elections, the upcoming cabinet will do the exact opposite of this government's activities. Lebanon has drastically changed to the worse on all levels and in all aspects.
-
31 January 2013, 23:17
Hariri: The assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Wissam al-Hasan had the same impact on me as my father's passing.
-
31 January 2013, 23:12
Hariri: It is a humanitarian and ethical duty to stand by the Syrian people and this is what MP Oqab Saqr is doing.
-
31 January 2013, 23:10
Hariri: The current government is covering Hizbullah's activities.
-
31 January 2013, 23:10
Hariri: Assad's corrupted regime fights and kills its own people while it does not stand up to Israeli invasions of Syrian airspace.
-
31 January 2013, 23:10
Hariri: If Assad had a grain of sanity he would have left Syria. It is a corrupt and murderous regime and the Syria people will emerge victorious.
-
31 January 2013, 23:03
Hariri: The same killers assassinated both Rafik Hariri and Wissam Hasan, and the latter was murdered for uncovering the Michel Samaha-Mamlouk files.
-
31 January 2013, 23:02
Hariri: The Syrian regime will fall soon and this will reveal the secrets behind all assassinations and crimes.
-
31 January 2013, 23:00
Hariri on Syria's conflict: It is a revolution and we have no doubt that it is the same regime that has killed Lebanese figures since the assassination of Kamal Jumblat.
-
31 January 2013, 22:58
Hariri: I will be back in Lebanon soon but it's up to me to decide on the exact moment.
-
31 January 2013, 22:50
Hariri: We are committed to the Baabda Declaration which was a product of the national dialogue sessions.
-
31 January 2013, 22:48
Hariri: I did regret my visit to Syria, but I went for the sake of Lebanon.
-
31 January 2013, 22:47
Hariri: There will be no one-third veto power in the upcoming government.
-
31 January 2013, 22:45
Hariri: I cannot dictate Jumblat, we must sit together and debate the options in front of us.
-
31 January 2013, 22:39
Hariri: 70 MPs will vote in favor of the Orthodox Gathering's draft electoral law while it will face the veto of President Suleiman, PSP leader Jumblat and al-Mustaqbal party.
-
31 January 2013, 22:37
Hariri: There is no future without the participation of all March 14 forces.
-
31 January 2013, 22:36
Hariri: There are many March 14 candidates for the presidency and our shared national values will protect our coalition.
-
31 January 2013, 22:34
Hariri: We must take into consideration that there are different views in the March 14 coalition, as it is formed of parties and independent figures.
-
31 January 2013, 22:33
Hariri: After winning the 2009 elections we have formed a government comprised of all political factions whilst the March 8 coalition did the opposite.
-
31 January 2013, 22:32
Hariri: Speaker Nabih Berri is playing a national role and al-Mustaqbal Movement is ready to give sacrifices but not at the expense of Lebanon's interest.
-
31 January 2013, 22:30
Hariri: We should all respect the constitutional deadline of the elections.
-
31 January 2013, 22:28
Hariri: Dividing Beirut based on the 1960 law was not for my best interest but I have agreed to it for the sake of Lebanon.
-
31 January 2013, 22:18
Hariri: A senate would justly represent religious communities and resolve Christian concerns, which the 1960's law failed to do.
-
31 January 2013, 22:14
Hariri: If we are really serious about communities' concerns, establishing a senate is a must.
-
31 January 2013, 22:12
Hariri: We must preserve Christian-Muslim co-existence and this is the trusteeship our martyrs had left.
-
31 January 2013, 22:12
Hariri: True representation would not be achieved by dividing Lebanon and abandoning March 14's image of united communities.
-
31 January 2013, 22:11
Hariri: If the March 8 coalition had won the elections, they would have supported the 1960 law without asking for other suggestions.
-
31 January 2013, 22:06
Hariri: We have the potential to conduct the elections now.
-
31 January 2013, 22:05
Hariri: We want true representation and we reject the Orthodox draft because it differentiates between Muslims and Christians, which is a disgrace.
-
31 January 2013, 22:03
Hariri: We have the same position as President Suleiman regarding the Orthodox proposal.
-
31 January 2013, 22:03
Hariri: President Michel Suleiman was the first person to reject the Orthodox proposal and he was talking out of his belief in the best interest of all Lebanese people.
-
31 January 2013, 22:00
Hariri: We suggest that the senate would be elected based on the Orthodox draft law while the parliament should be based on small electoral districts.
-
31 January 2013, 21:58
Hariri: Muslims had worries and concerns before and Christians were the ones to protect them. Our duty is to preserve Lebanon's unity and to prevent disintegration and division.
-
31 January 2013, 21:56
Hariri: A guarantee would be to incorporate the Baabda Declaration in the constitution and to work on empowering public institutions and abiding by the laws.
-
31 January 2013, 21:54
Hariri: We call for establishing a senate after modifying the constitution to suspend the article that calls for abolishing political sectarianism for a period of time.
-
31 January 2013, 21:53
Hariri: Elections must be held on time based on small electoral districts which assures just representation of all communities.
-
31 January 2013, 21:52
Hariri: There is a true problem in the representation of Christians.
-
31 January 2013, 21:51
Hariri: I understand Christians' concerns but we have to deal with them in a moderate way.
-
31 January 2013, 21:50
Hariri: Possessing weapons and becoming extremists will not do any good while moderation is essential.
-
31 January 2013, 21:50
Hariri: Extremism in the country has developed out of a feeling of injustice.
-
31 January 2013, 21:48
Hariri: We have a responsibility as politicians and we cannot deny that both Christian and Muslim communities have concerns.
-
31 January 2013, 21:48
Hariri on Orthodox Gathering's draft electoral law: The image of Christian-Muslim co-existence accompanied the beginning of my political career and we cannot give this up.
-
31 January 2013, 21:45
Hariri: PSP leader MP Walid Jumblat is a friend and he stood by us after the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri and we cannot forget that he was an important member of the March 14 coalition.
-
31 January 2013, 21:44
Hariri: Continuous dialogue with our allies is essential, and I have discussed with Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel many issues on the Lebanese scene, including the upcoming elections.
-
31 January 2013, 21:38
Hariri: My financial situation has been affected by the world economic crisis.
-
31 January 2013, 21:35
Former PM Saad Hariri to LBCI television: There is no war against me in the KSA, but it is some people's wish.
31 January 2013, 21:35
1818
We miss you man! Please don't come to Lebanon yet, HA still wants you 'boxed' next to your dad's grave.
Lebanon Loves You Sheikh Saad.
01 February 2013, 05:35
78
besides the president, Hariri is voicing support for civil marriage.
if for nothing else, this guy deserves respect.
I went through all the below comments and noticed they are all sectarian in nature, which shows who is sectarian in Lebanon and who is not.
01 February 2013, 10:04
44
talk is cheap, but he is saying it, so let us hear it from your leaders.
furthermore, all his comment is not sectarian but Lebanese. what about your leaders?
01 February 2013, 11:05
45
your blind hatred does not answer my question: what did your leaders say about civil marriage? when will they stop talking sectarian talk?
31 January 2013, 22:00
1010
hariri better stop politics and choose someone with more charisma and who knows how to communicate! can t he afford taking communication lessons as all politicians do? there are lots of competent teachers in paris...
(for sissy boy: i draw his attention to the fact that he could NEVER criticize his orangina like i can criticize the one he pretends i follow like a sheep...i am free , he is a FPM slave....but binary minds cannot see that or else they bug...)
31 January 2013, 22:37
128
never seen you criticize an ounce of what your beloved leader says....
31 January 2013, 22:37
59
we may like him or not. We may think he is self serving or not. That he is immature or not. But at least he is moderate. He doesnt wave fingers. He doesnt threaten. He doesnt wage wars. I would choose him 100 times before jamaa islamiyya or other salafi bozos.
This said, I still prefer mikati way more than all sunnite leaders.
01 February 2013, 00:28
39
develop smart guy: what is wahhabi in hariri? what wahabbi decisions did he take while in power?
01 February 2013, 00:34
38
tell us what is wahhabi in what he is saying? or are you just trying to look intelligent?
01 February 2013, 08:33
23
Remember that it is a mustaqbal led government that has waged war on islamist fath el islam in nahr el bared. this is a hard fact. people say a lot of things about hariri supporting islamist but it's only talks a la libanaise. no proofs just wishful thinking. we need to stop accusing each others with no evidence and start building trust among each others so we can build peace, stability and prosperity.
31 January 2013, 22:39
119
58 minutes ago:
Hariri: My financial situation has been affected by the world economic crisis.
Oh my god how can afford paris, its so expensive there.
31 January 2013, 23:21
1112
Better than Claoun who's never been anything but criminal soldier that fled the country the same way Arafat did before him. I would keep my mouth shut if I were you.
01 February 2013, 03:12
75
No, He never was. Maybe he was the self proclaimed president of a tiny hill somewhere but that's about it. The rest is mere delusion... I feel sorry for you to fall for such a low personality. As employee you probably just do it for the money.
01 February 2013, 15:25
13
Appointed by Gmeayel. You make me laugh. So, an ex president picks a replacement. That's very constitutional indeed. He wasnt indirectly elected as its supposed to be hence he wasn't legally president. Tomorrow, I'm going to declare myself president of Beirut, does it really make me president of anything? He's just a mass murderer that spared no Lebanese Muslim. Shame on him and his followers. What a good example for Lebanon, especially that it wasn't too long ago. No wonder he fled like a rat to France.
01 February 2013, 01:17
311
Halo everyone, I'm Smarty from.... Germany. You'll be hearing from me every now and then. I've been reading this lebanese portal for quite some time now and want to participate... Let's raise the bar together, I've been reading some incongruities and insults that shouldn't be published anywhere on the web.
01 February 2013, 02:00
56
Welcome to the club. Most of us live outside Lebanon. I'm from a country lead by a dictator but isn't in the Middle East. I won't say where from because it's dangerous... there's lots of lebanese shabiha (hezbo-woof-woof) sympathizers here that could get you killed if you come to Rafik Hariri Intl Airport because they control it.
Welcome abaord
01 February 2013, 01:32
44
Oh, so sectarianism and winner-take all in both levels of government? Wow, what a horrible combination and step back to a secular state.
01 February 2013, 01:42
35
Doctor? Here's a part of the Hippocratic Oath: To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art; and that by my teaching, I will impart a knowledge of this art to my own sons, and to my teacher's sons, and to disciples bound by an indenture and oath according to the medical laws, and no others.
01 February 2013, 01:43
34
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all humanity and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my life.
01 February 2013, 01:57
53
la suerte está echada! Hariri will return, maybe not as PM but he'll rule the country with his allies. Good luck Mr ex Prime Minister.
01 February 2013, 03:49
61
This guy and his self-interested proposals is just another example that we need a PR system that would allow smaller movements get into Parliament and push away our corrupt Za3ims.
01 February 2013, 06:42
21
whoever you are blisscustoms, you can say such things to people. It's very shocking!
01 February 2013, 08:34
42
tell FT, what are your grievance against Hariri. Hard fact please.
01 February 2013, 17:14
00
Flamethrower now tell us what is it that you don't approve of in this declaration and interview??!
I believe that everything he's saying here is at the same level as suleiman and gemayel's speeches, the only 2 leaders really working for the sake of Lebanon.
Had u wanted me to name my grievance against his father, the list might be long too, but this is a different speech, this is awesome! And plz don't tell me it's just words, because at least these words are worth gold compared to all the bs of other leaders combined!
Congratulations Cheikh Saad, you gained a voter!
01 February 2013, 23:22
00
FT - some of your complaints are valid. Other are not. For example the debt-based development model is a dangerous one as it assumes a certain growth rate which can only be sustainably achieved with stability. However, Hariri (the father) was a PM in a country occupied by Syria and largely ran by Syrian intelligence who had to have their cuts, their allies had to have their cut, etc... Even Hariri admitted that lot of the cost are inflated. To add to this, Lebanon came from a debilitating civil war with a massive damage, no infrastructure, and a population with high expectations. So debt was inevitable.
01 February 2013, 23:24
00
FT - the claims of some of the property owners against solidiere are in my opinion valid. However, to claim that solidiere area is lifeless is false. It is one of the major tourist attraction and received rave reviews.
01 February 2013, 23:28
00
FT: As for the army - why did not the current government took up iran offer? Simple: it is not in the national interest of lebanon to do alienate the west and the gulf countries and tie itself further to iran. Iran already has an army it control in lebanon. Even the perception of the lebanese state further aligning with iran will have alienate these countries against lebanon with restrictions on the banking sector (which will finsh the lebanese economy), investment, travel, etc..
01 February 2013, 10:52
41
Hariri: My financial situation has been affected by the world economic crisis
if u cannot prosper your own wealth , how can you prosper the wealth of the country
01 February 2013, 12:10
40
saado, ur enemies will miss u more than ur frds,u make them feel strong,ur replacement is not so funny.
01 February 2013, 12:21
23
Prime suspect you're aware that they just killed a Lebanese dude in Venezuela this week. It was all over the news. Also you're asking smarty not to come to Lebanon while yourself can't walk on the streets of venezuela past 5pm. You can't even hold your phone while on the streets. Smarty Welcome to Lebanon anytime. It's as peaceful as it can get these days.
01 February 2013, 17:58
01
I mostly like what he says (even though he is a good speaker) and will vote for mustaqbal but he is not the ONLY legitimate prime minister. We live in a democracy.
01 February 2013, 18:56
01
God bless you Sheikh Saad, you are the voice of truth, moderation and modernization...let the M8rs shake in their boots and howl at your feet…
01 February 2013, 23:15
00
He stood for the right of lebanese for civil marriage while the rest of the muslim leaders cowered under their sheets. He will likely pay a political price for his stand. If someone can explain FT statement to me, I will be highly appreciative. Honestly, it makes no sense.
