Suleiman: Sides Refusing Dialogue must Offer Alternatives, Any Electoral Law Better than Canceling Elections

Local Editor

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman stressed Tuesday that "both the constitution and the international laws are withholding the parliamentary elections on time."

"I prefer an electoral law based on proportionality," he said, and noted that "if the law is not adopted, this does not mean to cancel the elections."

In remarks to reporters in the Patriarch residence in Bkirki, the President highlighted that "despite the lapses in the 1960s law, it is the one that produced the current parliament."
"Any electoral law is better than cancelling the elections," Suleiman confirmed.
On the national dialogue front, Suleiman urged all political sides to attend the session set for January 7. "The dialogue made achievements in the past, the last of which was the announcement of the Baabda Declaration in June, particularly the dissociation of Lebanon."

Meanwhile, he added: "The second achievement is the discussion of the defense strategy in terms of the decision to use the arms."
"In the past, the boycott of dialogue was linked to the file witnesses. Today it is linked to toplling the government. If the factions have demands, then they should make them that at the national dialogue," Suleiman stressed.

Moreover, he urged the parties to ask people and return to dialogue. "If they refuse, they should offer alternatives," the President said.
Addressing the threats by families of the kidnapped Lebanese pilgrims in Syria to target Turkish interests in Lebanon, the president replied: "A ministerial committee has been formed to tackle the case of the kidnapped pilgrims and the security agencies are also following up on the issue."

In parallel, he wished all the Lebanese happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas to Christians particularly in Syria.


Source: al-Ahed News, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org