Suleiman Vows to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time
President Michel Suleiman stressed on Friday the importance of rotation of power, vowing that the parliamentary elections will be held on time as he will not allow anyone to adjourn them.
The parliamentary elections “will be held on time as the constitution states… I hope that lawmakers settle on a new electoral law, modernize and introduce reforms to it but if that doesn’t happen…. The elections will take place in accordance with the current law,” Suleiman told As Safir newspaper from the capital of the Czech Republic.
Asked about the reason behind not governing with an iron fist, the president said that “when I have to, I will.”
“There’s an important element related to time, conviction and dialogue” between state officials, Suleiman noted.
He told the daily that the delay in carrying out reform projects is due to the crumbling productivity by the cabinet and the disputes on issues like the 2012 state budget, the appointment of top civil servants in state posts and the electoral law.
Suleiman arrived in Romania Monday and headed to the Czech Republic later on before his expected return home Friday.
Suleiman called on the citizens not to fear the political crises as “dealing with them is by following the democratic principles.”
“Obstacles emerged to the surface... However, we were able to safeguard Lebanon from the negative repercussions of the world financial crisis, the dispute over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the Arab Spring,” he said.
Concerning the turmoil in the neighboring country Syria, the president warned against turning Lebanon into an “arena for conflict.”
“The main players that can ignite the street are known, and they can stir the situation and shake stability or safeguard Lebanon against all threats,” Suleiman told As Safir.
“I think no one wants to disturb the situation locally.”
On the performance of the Lebanese army, Suleiman praised the military saying that there’s a political decision to support the army, as Gen. Jean Qahwaji constantly coordinates with him.
He revealed that there are ongoing contacts with his Syrian counterpart President Bashar Assad, “who is keen to respond to all constructive suggestions.”
Suleiman reiterated that Syria’s membership in the Arab League should be restored as he is against “boycotting any Arab country or isolating it.”
Arab League member states voted in November to suspend Syria's participation in the Arab League because of the violence.
“The Syrian people want democracy, and the constitutional referendum held in Syria confirms this, which should open way for a national dialogue in the country,” he said.
The charter brought in by Assad after 11 months of anti-regime protests won 89.4 percent of votes cast in Sunday's referendum, with a turnout of 57.4 percent.
The draft text of the constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by voters ends the legal basis for the five-decade stranglehold on power of Assad's ruling Baath party but still leaves huge powers in his hands.
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