Phalange Warns against Maneuvering around 1960, Urges Cabinet to Commit to Disassociation Policy

The Phalange Party warned on Monday against trying to maneuver around the 1960 law before reaching consensus over a new draft, urging the adoption of the Baabda Declaration's principles after the formation of a new cabinet.

"There is a wrong spread impression that a new law has been adopted through aiming at postponing constitutional time limits while the 1960's law has not been replaced yet,” the party said in a released statement after the political bureau's weekly meeting.

It pointed out: “The political bureau is always holding talks and working on submitting an electoral draft law that assures just Christian representation and preserves national partnership”.

Phalange Party deputy chief Sejaan Qazzi told reporters after the meeting that the party would accept a postponement of the elections "if a new electoral law was adopted”, noting that it is because this is the party's “top priority”.

The politburo hailed the national consensus reached over naming Beirut MP Tammam Salam to head the new cabinet, hoping it would positively reflect on the council of minister's formation.

"We reiterate our support to PM-designate Salam and we hope he will be capable of forming a cabinet that can safeguard the country,” the Phalange said, stressing that it must draw its governmental Policy Statement from the principles of disassociation adopted in the Baabda Declaration.

“The new cabinet needs to be able to face upcoming decisive stages such as the parliamentary elections”.

The statement urged the new cabinet to pay special attention to the Syrian conflict, through disassociating Lebanon from the neighboring country's war and dealing with the “worsening crisis of refugees”.

“A rescue cabinet is one that is strong and effective and can deal with regional and international developments,” Azzi remarked.

The Baabda Declaration was reached during the first national dialogue session that was held in June 2012 after a 19-month absence.

The Declaration calls for political and media calm in Lebanon, supporting the army, and keeping Lebanon away from regional and international disputes.

The presidency announced Salam's election on Saturday after a meeting was held between President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri, during which the latter was informed by the president of the parliamentary consultations' details.

The Beirut MP assumed the position of prime minister on the second day of the binding parliamentary consultations after garnering a total of 124 votes by lawmakers.