Hollande Calls on Lebanese to Abide by Baabda Declaration
French President Francois Hollande expressed hope on Monday that Lebanon's sovereignty and stability remain, calling on politicians to abide by the Baabda declaration.
According to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), Hollande contacted his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman to congratulate him on Easter Day, stressing the importance of implementing the dissociation policy.
The French president urged Suleiman to safeguard Lebanon from the negative repercussions of the turmoil in the neighboring countries and not to interfere in the affairs of other countries.
In the Baabda Declaration, 16 political leaders from both the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition agreed to avoid rhetoric that fuels sectarian incitement.
They also pledged to consolidate stability to prevent the country from descending into strife.
Lebanese parties are sharply divided over the crisis in Syria as the March 8 alliance continuously expresses its support to Assad, while the March 14 camp backs the popular revolt.
The international community and analysts have expressed fears that the conflict in Syria may spill over into Lebanon.
Hollande also praised Suleiman's stance concerning the parliamentary elections.
On Sunday, Suleiman stressed the need to hold the parliamentary elections on time, rejecting the possibility of extending the term of the current parliament.
However, Suleiman and Caretaker Prime Minister 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.
Deep rift between the March 8 and 14 alliances surfaced over the electoral system that would be adopted during the upcoming polls.
The majority insists on the adoption of the Orthodox proposal that considers Lebanon a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system, but it was opposed by Suleiman, Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the Progressive Socialist Party, and the independent Christian MPs of the March 14 opposition, saying it harms the social fabric and increases sectarian tension.
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