Hariri Insists on Holding Polls, Says 'Hand Extended' to Others

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is holding on to the carrying out of the upcoming parliamentary elections on time to "preserve the democratic system in the country."

Hariri, according to al-Liwaa newspaper published on Thursday, hailed the stances of President Michel Suleiman, considering that he is implementing the constitution and the national pact.

On Sunday, Suleiman stressed the need to hold the parliamentary elections on time, rejecting the possibility of extending the term of the current parliament.

“We are keen to extend our hand to the rival coalition within the framework of building the nation and maintaining its role,” Hariri told his visitors in Riyadh.

The ex-PM warned of any adventures that would deteriorate the situation in the country.

Concerning the new electoral law, Hariri reiterated his rejection to the adoption of the so-called Orthodox Gathering draft-law as it threatens the “national pact and coexistence.”

The rival parties have so far failed to agree on an electoral draft-law.

The March 8 coalition is holding on the the Orthodox proposal as the only alternative to the 1960 law, however, it was rejected by Suleiman, Caretaker PM Najib Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the centrist National Struggle Front of MP Walid Jumblat, and the March 14 opposition’s Christian independent MPs.

The polls are likely to be postponed if the parliament gives the green light to the proposal that divides Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.

Suleiman and Miqati have signed a decree that sets the elections on June 9 according to the 1960 law, which is based on winner-takes-all system, over the lack of agreement between the bickering parliamentary blocs.

Their call have drawn the ire of the March 8 majority coalition, which has totally rejected the law.