Change and Reform: Does Respecting the National Pact Stop at the Rights of Christians?
The Change and Reform bloc, led by MP Michel Aoun, condemned on Tuesday recent statements that have been made over the presidency and democracy, criticizing the “marginalization” of Christians.
MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the bloc's weekly meeting at Rabieh: “Does respecting the National Pact halt at the rights of Christians?”
“Is there any greater injustice than the marginalization of Christians?” he asked.
“Is ignoring the will of the people part of democratic practice?” he continued.
“Democracy is about returning to the people. We proposed allowing the people to elect a president, which was rejected,” noted Kanaan.
“Our proposal of a popular survey over the presidency was also rejected,” he added.
“Are you really accusing us of violating democracy, when our valid proposals were rejected?” he wondered.
Christians are not followers, but partners in power, he declared.
Mistakes in applying the Taef Accord result in violations against coexistence, said the Change and Reform bloc MP.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.
Aoun, along with Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, are running for the presidency.
Hizbullah, Aoun's key ally, announced recently that it would not attend electoral sessions unless there are guarantees that its candidate will be elected president.
Hizbullah and some of its allies, as well as March 14's Lebanese Forces, have argued that Aoun is more eligible than Franjieh to become president given the size of his parliamentary bloc and his influence in the Christian community.
M.T.
Y.R.
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