Bassil Expresses Disbelief on Suleiman's Rejection of Christian Consensus, Blasts al-Mustaqbal
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Energy Minister Jebran Bassil expressed regret on Sunday that President Michel Suleiman has criticized the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal and criticized al-Mustaqbal movement for allegedly targeting power sharing.
“I am surprised that he rejects the project unless I personally hear that from him,” Bassil, who is a leading member of the Free Patriotic Movement, told An Nahar newspaper in an interview.
“He would be held responsible for missing this opportunity or for targeting a rare Christian consensus,” he said. “But I don't think that the president would do such a thing.”
The Orthodox Proposal calls for a single electoral district and allows each sect to vote for its own lawmakers under a system of proportional representation.
March 14 opposition alliance's independent Christian politicians, al-Mustaqbal movement, and MP Walid Jumblat’s Progressive Socialist Party have criticized it for allegedly deepening sectarian divisions.
Suleiman has also described it as unconstitutional and media reports said the president would not sign the bill if adopted by parliament.
A meeting held in Bkirki between FPM chief Michel Aoun, Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel and Marada chief Suleiman Franjieh on Friday called for agreeing on an electoral draft-law that secures fair and just representation for all Lebanese communities.
The statement issued following the meeting under Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi came only days after representatives from the three major Christian parties and the Lebanese Forces agreed to endorse the Orthodox Gathering proposal.
Bassil described it as “strategic not just for Christians in the Orient but for Muslims in Lebanon and for the thought of coexistence and plurality.”
During a press conference he held Sunday, Bassil blasted al-Mustaqbal for what he called rejecting power sharing between Christians and Muslims. "We are under a Takfiri attack in politics," he said.
He called the Orthodox Gathering proposal as the draft-law of “confesssional proportionality” which has no other alternative.
Bassil also shrugged off criticism that the proposal is unconstitutional, saying if the blocs that reject it decided to bring it down in parliament, then the Change and Reform bloc would do so for draft-laws proposed by them.
The minister expressed belief that there is a parliamentary majority that backs the proposal.
Other suggestions include a March 14 draft-law that calls for dividing Lebanon into 50 districts based on a winner-takes-all system and a government bill referred to parliament which projects Lebanon as 13 districts in a proportional representation system.
“Our objective is to garner the support of major parties such as al-Mustaqbal and the PSP for the Orthodox proposal,” Bassil told An Nahar, asking “why would we now back off after we achieved the support of the majority?”
The minister reiterated the FPM's rejection to adopt the 1960 law in this year's parliamentary elections.
The law, which adopts the qada as an electoral district and is based on a winner-takes-all system, was used in the 2009 polls.
13 January 2013, 10:44
34
and by the way: did you enjoy insulting me?
you proved to be another fpm thug :)
13 January 2013, 11:34
34
if you felt so much hurt by my comment, it means basil is your father or something of the like?
otherwise, what is it to you?
13 January 2013, 11:34
03
Insults should truly not be the way people in a modern society communicate with each other. Surely! It most certainly will weaken your argument when your words mean nothing more than meaningless derogatory lousiness. Neither of your comments achieved anything but an angry useless reaction, did it not?
13 January 2013, 12:12
01
Political debate should be more constructive. It should push us to think of alternatives if we disagree. Throwing random insults just cause we can is just plain ridiculous and childish in my opinion.
13 January 2013, 16:20
33
I agree with you that insult are not the way. but in the case of basil, I felt it was long overdue, and I will state the reasons. as for the so-called FT's comment: he talks about Christians while he is a shia, and in a way he knows what is best for Christians :)
now to Basil:
- he is the perfect son in law of aoun, who failed in the elections and imposed by him as a minister, thus he does not represent Christians.
- Basil is a racist, assisting the bashar regime by aiding its thugs to train and prepare for military actions against the Lebanese.
- Aoun and his thugs have weakened the Christians in the 90's doing the work of Bashar and went away to France after letting the best of our army be killed at the hands of his masters.
- he came back again to do the job his masters wanted him to play furthermore weakening the Christians.
13 January 2013, 16:20
21
- this law of ferzli(who is also a bashar puppet) is tailored to ave the worst effect on the Christians, so they open the door to loosing even more of their prerogatives, and so much more that will be unveiled soon :)
so yes, I said an insult against basil, but he deserves it.
13 January 2013, 17:22
02
Hi Geha
That is basically part of the problem. We shouldn't be looking at what's best for the Christians and what best for the Moslems. We should try and find what's right for Lebanon regardless.
I cannot think of one politician in Lebanon that has not made mistakes. They all have throughout the years. What bothers me is that they remain political leaders as if there aren't any other people who are educated enough to do a much better job. Anyway that aside, you have your beliefs and FT has his. We cheapen the argument with insults. Why can't we make every word worthwhile?
13 January 2013, 19:21
02
check all my posts and you will notice I am the one always being insulted and rarely I reply, but without insults :)
today I got fed up with basil and aoun, and issued that comment.
I agree that these are not politicians (all of them), and they are worthless as such.
but I differentiate between stupid MPs and so called politicians who are agents to foreign countries executing their orders to harm the country. aoun and his fpm fall exactly in that category.
they spread lies and false accusations constantly as a prelude to what their masters are preparing for us.
for info, the latest security information advises of a high level of bomb threats that are going to occur soon, and it is known who is behind them. their intent is to do like samaha: accuse salafis :)
13 January 2013, 12:14
03
I will reiterate what I said yesterday. In my humble opinion, this law is not the best solution for Lebanon in the long term. It does take us a few steps backwards and we need to move forwards. However I do understand the frustration of Lebanese Christians as since the Taif accord the Lebanese Christians' "interests" have been marginalised for what was sold as the greater good of the nation. Also, the situation in the whole region at the moment and the so called rise of Islamists have left all minorities feeling their existence is threatened.
13 January 2013, 12:14
02
Our "leaders" that the country seems to be voting for again and again have remained unchanged for as long as my memory takes me. Nothing has ever been accomplished by any of them that has truly improved the lives of all Lebanese. They all seem to argue, bicker, fight and increase the country's division. I do not care for any of those so called leaders. Each of them has his own agenda and motives and none of them has the COUNTRY'S best interest at heart.
13 January 2013, 12:14
02
The country is divided yet I wish it was because of political ideology! Unfortunately it has always been because of sectarian ideology and that is the reason the country has not managed to thrive and unite productively throughout its history. We are a divided nation and we always have been but does that mean that we always should be? This law will only make this fact official. Some will think that's a good thing and some will think it's a bad thing. Ultimately only history will be the judge of that.
13 January 2013, 12:15
01
In an ideal utopic world we would all like Lebanon to be a modern and truly democratic nation where everyone is equal and everyone votes for what is truly important for the nation and all its people. We unfortunately do not live in that utopic world.
Obviously this is just my opinion and I accept that some people my not share the same opinion as me
13 January 2013, 12:43
02
Thx accordionman.
Political affiliation is not something I care about. I am more interested in real and constructive views from whoever it comes from. Surely everyone is entitled an opinion in a democracy, don't you think? Whether we like it or not.
13 January 2013, 12:15
02
In an ideal utopic world we would all like Lebanon to be a modern and truly democratic nation where everyone is equal and everyone votes for what is truly important for the nation and all its people. We unfortunately do not live in that utopic world.
Obviously this is just my opinion and I accept that some people my not share the same opinion as me
13 January 2013, 14:45
13
more sectarian than this law there is not... really funny to see FPM support a sectarian law when they pretend to want secularism... hypocrits that s all....
rather than show the example they do all that is contrary to secularism in everything they do...
pityful and more pityful those who support them while crying out that they too are for secularism! LOL!
13 January 2013, 19:41
50
Geha is the perfect scoundrel! A fake christain that attacked the batrack at every turn and praises sheik saadadine. Every attempt is made to divide Lebanese! Well all I can say is shalom and happy honnicka.
13 January 2013, 21:58
11
How is this bad for the Christians, I really don't understand. I guess because I am not lebanese, and having a leader tell me what is good for me.
14 January 2013, 00:01
01
It would be bad for all of Lebanon but in the short term, it would be good for the Christians. Now, if the Christian leaders can get together with the Sunni, Shia, and Druze leaders and formulate a plan that everyone can get behind, then we would all be better off.
as for Bassil, do your job and stop giving people more ammo to hate you. You are still known as the son in law because everyone knows you got your position from your father in law and not your actual skills. And increasing the time the power is turned off from 11 hours a day to 18 in 3 years isn't considered a good thing in most circles....
