Suleiman: Elections A Must
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman urged "all sides to be part of the dialogue to find a solution for the Syrian crisis."
On the Lebanese elections, Suleiman stressed in remarks to "al-Joumhoria" daily that "the 2013 parliamentary elections should be held regardless of what electoral law is to be adopted."
"Given the Arab world developments, it is unacceptable that Lebanon fail to hold the scheduled elections," he confirmed, noting that "elections is the first condition for democracy."
The President also announced that "he will not participate in the coming elections."
"I do not have anything to do with the candidacies...and I will not support any candidate - even if they were among my closest confidants," Suleiman vowed.
On the electoral law, the President reiterated his support for adopting proportionality.
"We are seeking to rectify the current law in accordance with the Lebanese system and Taef Accord," he mentioned, highlighting that "it is no longer suitable for the elections."
"It no longer reflects mutual coexistence among the Lebanese given the geographic and demographic changes in the country," he stated.
However, he pointed out that " if a new electoral law can't be agreed to, the current electoral law must be adopted."
Source:al-Joumhoria, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
- Related News
