Christian Forces Meet in Bkirki, Express 'Openness to Any Proposal that Ensures Proper Representation'

The main Christian political forces on Thursday expressed "openness to any proposal that ensures proper representation" for Christians in parliament, following a broad meeting at the seat of the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki.

"The conferees reiterated their stances and evaluated the current phase concerning the new electoral law in light of the meeting of the joint parliamentary committees, expressing openness to any proposal that ensures proper representation for all the Lebanese groups, according to the principles of the constitution," said a statement issued by Bkirki after the talks.

Meanwhile, MTV said MP Butros Harb held onto his stance on the draft law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering, under which each sect would elect its own lawmakers.

MTV reported that the meeting was attended by Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh, FPM MP Alain Aoun, Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan, Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, Phalange bloc MPs Sami Gemayel and Samer Saade, and former interior minister Ziad Baroud.

Later, OTV reported that MP Harb joined the meeting.

Widely informed sources told the Central News Agency that Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi had called for the meeting “in order for them to agree on a new electoral law.”

It added that President Michel Suleiman, who had held talks with al-Rahi at the Baabda Palace earlier on Thursday, had pushed for efforts to be exerted in order to avert the adoption of the Orthodox Gathering law in the elections, which are scheduled to be held in June.

He had urged the need to reach consensus over a new electoral law seeing as the Orthodox Gathering proposal “threatens to create sectarian and political division in Lebanon,” said the Central News Agency.

The president, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Mustaqbal bloc, National Struggle Front, and independent March 14 figures had rejected the proposal, saying that it fuels sectarianism in Lebanon.

Suleiman is likely to reject the bill at the constitutional council, added the Central News Agency.