Bassil: Elections Will Not be Held Unless there is an Agreement Over the Electoral Law

Source: NowLebanon, 11-03-2008
Free Patriotic Movement Political Relations Officer Gebran Bassil expressed hope that Lebanon is represented at the upcoming Arab Summit by a Christian president.
"The wish to have Lebanon represented by a president at the Arab Summit does not mean that a president should be elected without ensuring the necessary conditions to solve the present crisis," Bassil told NOW Lebanon.
"The election of a president in the coming session will be possible if the majority accepts our participation in decision making," he said.
Bassil said that the opposition is seeking to set right the matters of participation and popular representation by suggesting a just electoral law. "Then we would have a new president, a new government and a parliament that truly represents all Lebanese and Christians."
He also noted that contacts between MP Michel Aoun and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa have been planned.
"I have also discussed with Moussa's assistant, Ambassador Hisham Youssef, the suggestion forwarded by the Omani foreign minister over the formation of an interim government that will adopt a new electoral law and oversee early legislative elections," Bassil added.
He also said that the opposition has expressed its readiness to discuss this matter. "Yet we heard that the majority is objecting to it."
Bassil said he agreed with Speaker Nabih Berri's description of the electoral law as the most important matter. "Does anyone doubt that the core of the problem is the electoral law?" he asked. "It is impractical to say that the problem is restricted to the presidency," he added.
Bassil said that the presidential elections will not be held unless an agreement is reached over the electoral law.
"The ball is in the majority's court, just as in 2005, when they accepted Ghazi Kanaan's electoral law. They promised to adopt a new electoral law after the establishment of the government within a period of six months, but they didn't. Now, they are rejecting our suggestion to adopt the 1960 electoral law. Let them propose an alternative," Bassil said.