Change and Reform Urges Quick Policy Statement, Preparation for Presidential Vote

The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Tuesday called for finalizing the policy statement of the new cabinet “as soon as possible” to focus on resolving the pending issues and preparing for the upcoming presidential election.

“We must quickly move to legislative work through studying files, devising practical plans and going to parliament to prevent the suspension of legislation,” MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the bloc's weekly meeting in Rabiyeh.

“People's demands and the social, educational and economic concerns must not be obstructed. This cabinet is a temporary phase and the presidential vote is very crucial,” Kanaan added.

The lawmaker stressed the importance of “communicating with the (Lebanese) diaspora to introduce them to their constitutional rights as this is very important at the economic level.”

Kanaan hoped Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet will begin “productivity” next week.

“The cabinet's main mission is to resolve the pending issues and start preparing for the presidential vote that must be held on time in line with norms,” he underlined.

The ministerial committee that is drafting the policy statement was not able Monday to finalize its mission as previously anticipated, with the March 14 forces and President Michel Suleiman insisting on including the Baabda Declaration in the statement in a consensual formula.