Suleiman Says he Disagrees with Qortbawi, Calls for ‘More Appropriate’ Electoral Law

President Michel Suleiman said Wednesday that the ball of appointments of civil servants to positions in state institutions was in the court of the cabinet.

“The ball of appointments is in the court of ministers and I disagree with the justice minister on the head of the Higher Judicial Council,” Suleiman said on twitter.

Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, who is loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, has proposed Judge Tannous Meshleb to head the HJC.

Suleiman and Aoun have been bickering for months on the post because the president is backing Judge Alice Shabtini to head the Council.

He argues that Shabtini is more efficient but Aoun stresses that she has a limited time in office before she retires.

Suleiman also tweeted that a “clear mechanism” should be adopted to make appointments based on “efficiency.”

On the electoral law, the president reiterated his rejection of the 1960 law which is based on simple majority representation.

“I reject the 1960 law and let’s discuss a more suitable formula,” he said.

Officials are now discussing a draft electoral law proposed by Interior Minister Marwan Charbel that is based on proportional representation.

Maronite leaders have backed a proposal made by the Orthodox Gathering for each sect to choose its own representatives during the 2013 parliamentary elections.

The proposal, however, has faced the objection of several officials, including Charbel.