FPM Takes a Firm Stance, Vows to Challenge Extension of Parliament's Term

Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan revealed on Thursday that the Free Patriotic Movement began drafting a request to challenge the extension of the parliament's mandate.

Kanaan, who is loyal to FPM leader MP Michel Aoun, pointed out in remarks published in As Safir newspaper that the challenge will be filed directly after the parliament endorses the extension.

He noted that the challenge will focus on several aspects including the importance of maintaining the democratic principle of rotation in power.

On Wednesday, Speaker Nabih Berri said that the parliament’s term will be extended to Nov, 20 2014.

A parliamentary session is set to be held on Friday to vote on the timeframe of extension.

The lawmaker considered that extending the term of the parliament due to the security situation “doesn't convince us.”

He also lashed out at the Phalange Party and the Lebanese Forces for approving such a decision, saying that it contradicts their previous stances.

On Wednesday, President Michel Suleiman reiterated that he will challenge the constitutionality of extending the parliament's term before the Constitutional Council if polls weren't held by October.

MPs “will of course agree on extending the parliament's term because it will save them the cost of the electoral campaign,” Suleiman said.

The president said he wants the lawmakers to cut the extended term short and hold the parliamentary elections once they agree on an electoral law.