Up to 110 MPs to Vote for Parliament Extension over 'Security Incidents,' 'Sectarian Disputes'
The extension of parliament's four-year mandate will likely be backed by 110 lawmakers during a session scheduled to be held on Friday after efforts to convince Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to support such a move failed.
Several MPs expected around 105 or 110 lawmakers to vote for the extension if they all attended Friday's session although its duration is still the source of controversy between different parliamentary blocs.
Rival parties have failed to agree on an electoral law to govern the June 16 parliamentary elections and the majority of them opposed the 1960 law that was used in the 2009 polls.
The lack of consensus compelled them to agree on an extension despite differences on the duration. Some blocs are backing a 15-month extension while others are backing an 18-month period.
The extension of the 128-seat legislature's term by up to 18 months marks the first time that parliament has had to extend its term since Lebanon's civil war ended in 1975-90.
The decision by Speaker Nabih Berri to call for a plenary session followed an agreement between most political factions that the worsening security situation has made campaigning and voting impossible, and that postponing it may ease soaring tensions.
Parliament's current term ends June 20.
A copy of the draft-law that was obtained by An Nahar daily said the extension was necessary given that the security situation “was affecting clearly and directly the normal life (of citizens) in vast areas and in most Lebanese governorates.”
“The transfer of incidents and disputes from one area to the other is causing deaths and injuries and mainly in major cities, which becomes an obstacle to communication between Lebanese regions from the North to the South to the Bekaa,” it said.
It added that political differences that are sometimes based on “sectarian” disputes are “threatening sedition” and could obstruct the organization of electoral campaigns and voting.
Hizbullah and Berri's Amal movement, which are Aoun's main allies, have failed to convince him to support the draft-law.
The FPM chief has rejected an extension, favoring holding polls on time under the 1960 law despite his objection to it for failing to guarantee the best representation of Christians.
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