Change and Reform Bloc Requests 'Clarifications' on Arsal Clashes, Militants' Escape
The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Tuesday asked official authorities to provide explanations on the circumstances of the latest clashes between army troops and extremist militants in the northeastern border town of Arsal, requesting also information on the gunmen's withdrawal along with the kidnapped soldiers.
Free Patriotic Movement leader “MP (Michel) Aoun warned last week of negotiating with terrorists and said that what is needed is supporting the army and finding radical solutions, which means informing citizens about what is happening and what are the responsibilities and what is the battle's fate,” MP Ibrahim Kanaan said after the Change and Reform bloc's weekly meeting.
He elaborated: “The first question is; who is responsible for the militants' withdrawal and where are the kidnapped soldiers? We want an official explanation from concerned authorities. We ask, who are these authorities?”
“This is a national issue that concerns the entire country,” he stated.
Kanaan continued: “The second question; who is responsible for using the kidnapped soldiers' case as an issue to pressure the Lebanese state?”
“There are conditions imposed on the state and these involve prisoners in Roumieh and some Islamists... This issue needs to be clarified,” he said, stressing that it is the MPs' “duty to ask about these issues on behalf of the Lebanese people.”
The bloc also discussed several pending social and political matters in the country, including the presidential elections and talks about extending the parliament's term for the second time, as well as the contentious new wage scale impasse.
“Today there was a parliamentary session to elect a president and a proposal was made by (Zahle) MP (Nicolas) Fattoush to extend the parliament's term... and we heard some parties justifying the second extension of the mandate.”
“Are they banking on overthrowing the constitution?” he asked, referring to politicians supporting parliamentary extension. “Bidding on national and constitutional matters is rejected.”
He went on to say: “We are against messing with the constitution especially when it is harmful and violates the rotation of power and democracy. There are other options like adopting a new electoral law, or electing a president by the people.”
Kanaan mentioned MP Aoun's proposal of holding popular presidential elections, saying it was a mean to “free the presidency from political considerations.”
“Why was this issue rejected? This is what led to vacuum,” he said.
On the new wage scale crisis, Kanaan said: “The law that was adopted at the parliament was reached after an agreement between political parties and contract workers. It was amended upon adoption to respond to contract workers' requests.”
He added: “Today there is a chance to find a solution for the new wage scale impasse without violating the rights of teachers, administrators, military personnel, and students.”
We need to benefit from this opportunity, the Change and Reform bloc MP declared.
He called on parliamentary blocs who “have not given their approval on a final formula of the new wage scale that safeguards rights and takes capacities and reform into consideration to work on finding a final solution that can be useful for everyone.”
“Only then will official exams be liberated from all impasses and the state's treasury will be safeguarded,” he stressed.
“A legislative session at the parliament can take place at any time and what is required is meeting quorum and adopting the new wage scale,” Kanaan remarked.
“This issue must be dealt with from a national perspective and without any political considerations.”
S.D.B.
M.T.
over 9 years
plus one!
over 9 years
Nice!
over 9 years
nice, here's another few...Failed Political Movement, Farcical Political Movement, Farsi Political Movement, Fudge Packing Movement....
over 9 years
blame, lies, blame, and then more lies and to spice it up add some more blame.
over 9 years
Did Aoun/FPM welcome the extra $1billion donation to the LAF that they so dearly love.. They never take ownership, responsibility or consider themselves accountable. When they were in an one sided government for 3 years, they blamed their opponents for their miserable failures. They are part of today's government, and still they act oblivious to what's going on. A party of unprofessionals...
over 9 years
and for the "known" poster who lurks in the background and already cast several votes, it would be better if you offer productive comments instead of playing your shameful games.
over 9 years
you mean flamethrower and mowaten?
over 9 years
Actually ft. I like to know how they were able to cross the border in the thousands. I thought HA and Bashar took care of securing all the areas close to the border.
over 9 years
The first question is; who is responsible for the militants' Solicitation to irsal? We want an official explanation from concerned authorities. We ask, who are these authorities?
The second question; who is responsible for using the kidnapped soldiers' case as an issue to pressure the Lebanese state?” Answer: you bc u covered the HA battle in syria
“Are they banking on overthrowing the constitution?” No, u are or else why not attend ( simple u fear the loss of ur cookoo leader more than the loss of a country
Kanaan mentioned MP Aoun's proposal of holding popular presidential elections, saying it was a mean to “free the presidency from political considerations.” Well maybe, but if u accept the democratic rule, then u should seek approval from the majority (of blocks and not only ur allies ok? That is if they approve it)
On wage scale, curb corruption instead of increasing taxes and fees.
over 9 years
Great, next time get ur allies to (HA) send their judges to the constitutional court and blow the extension in everybody's face
Till then u hv no right to blame others for what u fail to do
over 9 years
Ah gee, you just keep repeating and requesting what you know to be the impossible in this phase because it requires an amendment to the constitutions. You continue to float this not yet ripe solution because you cannot rationally explain your obstructionist behavior. Why not come out from behind your thumb. You are in charge and you have thwarted our free will with your guns! So conclusion as long as you have your boots on our necks you can do whatever you want so why the charade? Change the constitution and let your ex-defector become president and prove to us once and for all that you are the majority so we can shut up forever no?
over 9 years
Thank you Bore..... I am always the solution.
You on the other hand are a minimum wage paid propagandist, spreading lies. We have a constitution now that requires Parliament to vote for the President. The people are represented by Parliament.
Let's use the deserter ex-general's formula in Prliament:
1. First round: only Christian MP's vote for their preferred Presidential candidate
2. Second round: The top 2 candidates from the first round get voted on by all MP's
The deserter ex general is obstructing the vote because he knows he will lose. Plain and simple. Period.
over 9 years
Typical response, you have no answer to logic so you resort to insults and name calling. It's not bad enough you have us at the mercy of your Iranian mercenary guns, you also want us to like it and cheer for it. You have no self-respect, no morals and no dignity.
over 9 years
He should have gone one step further and asked who is responsible for the deaths of the countless HA fighters in foreign lands, the state or HA? Who is responsible for the deaths of Syrians at the hands of HA fighters as Lebanses citizens, the state or HA? Who is responsible for embroiling Lebanon in external conflicts thus jepardising the safety of our citizens and opening the whole country to the wrath of extremists?
over 9 years
Forgot to mention, Who is responsible for directing and forcing the Sunni population of Lebanon towards extremism in retaliation for HA extremism?
Kanaan: We came forward with a solution to the presidential impasse and it was about returning to the people to free the presidency from political interests. What is this issue rejected? This is what led to vacuum.
No, the vacuum was created because you did not perform your duties as a block and attend the sessions for electing a president. You cannot disobey the law simply because you don't like it and you propose an alternative law.
Kanaan: It is our duty as MPs to ask about issues on the behalf of the Lebanese people.
Then, explain to the Lebanese people why you continue boycotting the presdential election sessions.