Extension of Parliament’s Term Inevitable amid Efforts to Persuade Christians

The extension of parliament's mandate has become a foregone conclusion after both Speaker Nabih Berri and al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora hinted that there was no option but to extend the term of lawmakers despite a veto by influential Christian figures.

Saniora told al-Mustaqbal daily in remarks published on Wednesday that he discussed with Berri a day earlier the extension of the legislature's tenure.

Things are on the right track, he said, adding “we have no option but to extend” the legislature's term.

“But we are currently discussing ways to resolve this issue,” he told the newspaper.

Parliament extended its term last year over security fears and a disagreement among rival MPs on an electoral law.

Berri, who on several occasions announced his rejection to extend the parliament's term for the second time, reiterated that he could not remain on his stance if a major political party insisted on boycotting the polls.

The speaker told his visitors that he would not ignite strife but would return to his previous stance to rejecting the extension if al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri backed off from his position on the issue.

Hariri has announced that his movement will not participate in the elections should they be held in the absence of a president.

Berri also stressed that the parliament should specify that the legislative polls would be held after the election of a president if it extend its term.

A dispute between the March 8 and 14 alliances has left Baabda Palace vacant since the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's six-year term end of May.

The vacuum at the presidential palace has raised fears of a further paralysis in state institutions and the country's major Christian figures have rejected an extension of parliament's term.

On Tuesday, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi reiterated his rejection to extend parliament’s mandate and accused lawmakers of violating the constitution.

The Change and Reform bloc of MP Michel Aoun also said the parliamentary elections should be held on schedule.

Meanwhile, envoys from two other major Christian parties – Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and Kataeb MP Sami Gemayel – are in Saudi Arabia to discuss the matter with Saudi officials.

Al-Liwaa newspaper quoted a lawmaker as saying that the extension is a foregone conclusion but a meeting held by Berri with Saniora, deputy Speaker Farid Makari, the speaker's aide Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and Hariri's advisor Nader Hariri on Tuesday tackled the stance of Christian parties.

The MP said the conferees agreed that Berri discuss the issue with Hizbullah so that it mediates with the Change and Reform bloc and for Saniora to inquire the LF, Kataeb and the March 14 alliance's independent Christians on what move they would take on the extension.

Berri refused to tell his visitors that the extension had become a de facto matter.

“You can ask me (this question) when I set a date for a parliamentary session,” he said in remarks published in local dailies on Wednesday.

“All what I am hearing now is just media reports,” he added.

The session is likely to take place early next month to discuss a draft-law proposed by Zahle MP Nicolas Fattoush that calls for an extension of two years and seven months.

Fattoush's proposal in addition to another draft-law suggested by the LF - to amend the legal deadline to run in the elections and form a committee to supervise the polls - are expected to top the agenda of the session.

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