Baabda Sources: Elections Decree Only an Administrative Move

A decision by President Michel Suleiman to sign a decree that calls for parliamentary elections on June 9 was an administrative and not a political move, Baabda palace sources said Tuesday.

Suleiman signed the decree on Monday along with Prime Minister Najib Miqati, drawing the ire of the March 8 majority coalition over fears that the 1960 law that governed the polls in 2009 would be adopted in this year's elections amid lack of agreement in parliament on a new electoral draft-law.

But the presidential sources stressed to An Nahar newspaper that Suleiman “made an administrative and legal and not a political move” in signing the decree to avoid accusations that the government breached the constitution.

Article 42 of the constitution states that “general elections for the renewal of the assembly are held within the sixty days which precede the end of its term of office.”

In an effort to appease fears that the 1960 law would be implemented in the upcoming polls, the sources said former Minister Khalil Hrawi and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas are continuing to exert efforts in coordinating with the different parties to agree on a new electoral draft-law as tasked by Suleiman and Miqati.

There is optimism that the rival parties could reach an agreement next week on the hybrid proposal that is based on a plan proposed by Speaker Nabih Berri, they said.

Their remarks came as several al-Mustaqbal opposition MPs announced on Tuesday that they would propose along with the Progressive Socialist Party a hybrid draft-law but only after it receives the backing of the rest of the opposition March 14 alliance factions.

Also Monday Minister Nazem al-Khoury, who is close to Suleiman, stressed in remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), that the president rejects the 1960 law and backs the vote law proposal made by the cabinet.