Mustaqbal Slams Orthodox Proposal Adoption, Says 'Best Gift' to Israel

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc slammed on Monday the joint parliamentary committees' adoption of the Orthodox Gathering's draft electoral law, expressing that it is a “black day in Lebanon's history”.

“Some MPs have abandoned Lebanon and its institutions today,” the bloc's released statement said after the lawmakers' weekly meeting. “It is a black day in Lebanon's legislative history”.

The bloc added: “The Orthodox proposal threatens national values, moderation and religious coexistence.

"It is the best gift we can offer to the Israeli enemy," the statement expressed.

The MPs restated their rejection of the draft law, confirming that they will continue to oppose it “with all available democratic means”: “There is still a chance to correct this mistake that will threaten Lebanon's format and the country's unique role in the region”.

Hopes for consensus between rival lawmakers on an electoral law were shattered on Tuesday after MPs from several blocs withdrew from the meeting of the joint parliamentary committees in protest after the adoption of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal.

The article calls for dividing Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own lawmakers under a proportional representation system.

The proposal is supported by the four major Christian parties – the FPM, LF, Phalange and Marada.

Meanwhile, it was rejected by President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, Jumblat, al-Mustaqbal and several other independent Christian opposition MPs.

After its approval by the joint committees, there is one last step of its approval by the parliament.

On Hizbullah's alleged involvement alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime in the neighboring country's conflict, the statement said: “We hold the party responsible for all dangers that may threaten Lebanon and its institutions”.

“Hizbullah's operations are an indication that the party has regional plans that have nothing to do with Lebanon's best interest,” it added, expressing that these activities “drag Lebanon into the war and expose the fake disassociation policy of the cabinet”.

Al-Mustaqbal urged the cabinet to deploy army patrols on the border with Syria, suggesting also seeking the help of international peacekeeping forces.

A statement attributed to the Free Syrian Army gave Hizbullah on Tuesday a 48-hour ultimatum to halt its alleged operations in Syrian territories, warning that it will retaliate to the sources of fire inside Lebanon.

“If Hizbullah didn't halt shelling Syrian territories, villages and civilians from Lebanese territories within 48 hours, we will strike back,” a statement attributed to the rebel FSA said.

Three Lebanese Shiites have been killed in fighting in Syria, a Hizbullah official said Sunday, as the Syrian opposition accused the Lebanese group of intervening on the side of the regime.

He said they were acting in "self-defense,” without specifying if they were Hizbullah members.

The Syrian opposition has long accused the group of helping the Syrian leadership crack down on the uprising — a claim the group has repeatedly denied.

The bloc also discussed Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's comments on the current situation in Bahrain, warning against the repercussions of these views on the "interests and businesses of Lebanese citizens in the Gulf Cooperation Council's states".

“We condemn views criticizing GCC leaders and we warn against the unexpected consequences that they may result in,” the MPs stated.

Al-Akhbar daily newspaper said on Tuesday that Secretary-General of the GCC Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani informed Lebanese Chargé d'affaires in Saudi Arabia Munir Anouti that the Gulf countries demand the government to take a strict stance from Aoun's statements on the developments in Bahrain.

Bahrain had summoned on Friday the Lebanese charge d'affaires Ibrahim Assaf at the Lebanese Embassy in the Gulf state over remarks made by Aoun earlier this week, reported the Bahrain News Agency.

The statements the MP made to Iran's al-Alam television on Wednesday were considered by Bahrain as an “irresponsible meddling in its internal affairs".

The FPM leader had told al-Alam that the demands of the protesters in Bahrain are “fair and justified".

He criticized the Arab League and international community for failing to support the protests.

Aoun added: “It's unfortunate that a peaceful revolution, which has been oppressed and going on for three years, has not been recognized enough by the world”.