Naharnet

Bkirki Officials Urge Dialogue Participants for Swift Action over Presidency

Officials in Bkirki said the national dialogue on the presidential vacuum would prolong the crisis, urging top officials who are holding all-party talks to take a “historic” decision that would lead to the election of a new head of state.

The officials, who were not identified, told the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper published Thursday that “the conferees should take a historic decision, which would lead to the removal of obstacles facing the presidential elections and help fill the vacuum.”

The election of a head of state would give back Christians their rights and fix the current flaw in the balance among different Lebanese sects, they said.

The officials called for holding onto the Constitution and for parliament to elect the president, in a clear rejection to a proposal made by Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun for direct elections.

A new government would be formed and parliamentary elections be held based on a fair and balanced electoral draft-law after the election of the head of state, they said.

The country's top Christian post has been vacant since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May last year.

Huge differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances have caused the vacuum.

The rivals are now tackling the presidential crisis and other controversial issues at the national dialogue chaired by Speaker Nabih Berri.

G.K.

D.A.


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