Naharnet

Jumblat Lashes Out at Bassil's Suggestion for Christian-Chaired Senate

Leader of the Democratic Gathering bloc MP Walid Jumblat lashed out at a proposal made by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil to create a Senate under a Christian leadership and stressed that the proposal violates the Taef Accord.

The Druze leader explained that establishing a Senate was first suggested in the Taef accord so as to eliminate political sectarianism.

“A Senate is linked to the abolition of politician sectarianism according to the Taef accord,” said Jumblat in a tweet on Wednesday.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil suggested the creation of a Christian-chaired Senate although the Taef Agreement stipulates that its chairmanship should be allotted to the Druze community.

Bassil had announced early this week a proposal for the upcoming parliamentary polls that calls for electing 64 MPs according to the proportional representation system in five electorates whereas the other 64 would be elected by their respective sects under a winner-takes-all system in 14 electorates.

He said it would pave way for the creation of a Senate under a "Christian non-Maronite leadership to respect parity."

The Taef Agreement -negotiated in Saudi Arabia-was an agreement reached to provide the basis for the ending of the civil war and the return to political normalcy in Lebanon. It was designed to end the decades-long Lebanese Civil War, reassert Lebanese authority in Southern Lebanon.

Source: Naharnet


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