Suleiman Rejects Imposing Electoral Law on President
President Michel Suleiman stressed on Sunday that he rejects attempts by any country to impose its stance concerning the upcoming parliamentary election, noting that the capacities of the Lebanese army should be fortified.
“It should be clear. No Lebanese president would accept being directed by any country concerning the electoral law,” Suleiman said at a meeting with the Lebanese community in Ghana during an official visit.
A consensus over an electoral law has yet to be reached after the Orthodox Gathering's proposal that considers Lebanon a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system, was opposed by Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the PSP, and the independent Christian MPs of the March 14 opposition, saying it harms the social fabric and increases sectarian tension.
The president pointed out that the Taif accord should be safeguarded by the adoption of an electoral law that represents diverse Lebanese segments.
“We will not allow expatriates to cast their votes according to sectarian ballot boxes,” Suleiman said.
Suleiman and Miqati have signed a decree that sets the elections on June 9 based on the 1960 law that was used in the 2009 polls 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.
Suleiman lauded the cabinet's decision to fortify the abilities of the Lebanese army, saying: “The army is the symbol of the nations unity and it was able to safeguard the country during the difficult time.”
The Cabinet approved in September a 1.6-billion-dollar plan to properly equip the Lebanese army.
The president urged officials to agree on a national defense strategy to enable the army to benefit from the capabilities of the resistance.
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