Mustaqbal: 'Necessary Legislation' Should Motivate MPs to Stage Presidential Elections

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The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc reiterated on Tuesday its support for “necessary legislation” to tackle pending affairs at parliament, noting that it is the “sound” choice given the ongoing vacuum in the presidency.

It said after its weekly meeting: “We hope that necessary legislation will motivate those obstructing the presidential elections to stage the polls as soon as possible.”

It hoped that lawmakers “will not grow accustomed to necessary legislation in light of the vacuum.”

The bloc also tackled the new wage scale and the progress that was achieved in funding the hike, while also highlighting the negative repercussions its adoptions may have on he private sector.

It explained that the sector will be forced to support more burdens, which will in turn lower its competitivity.

“Such a repercussion needs to contained through the best possible solutions,” stressed the Mustaqbal bloc.

“The new wage scale should achieve economic and financial justice and balance and coincide with the approval of the greatest number of structural reforms that will bolster the hike and increase productivity of all economic sectors,” it explained.

“These pending affairs can be achieved when the state regains its authority throughout its territories and when security is restored throughout the country,” it continued.

The salary hike has been at the center of controversy since it was approved by the government of ex-PM Najib Miqati in 2012. Several parliamentary blocs had refused to approve the draft-law over fears that it would have devastating effects on the economy.

But recent meetings held between several blocs and Speaker Nabih Berri led to a deal on the scale.

The most recent of these meetings took place between the speaker and head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora.

The bloc had previously voiced its reservations over the wage scale draft-law.

Parliament is scheduled to convene on Wednesday in order to tackle the issue and other draft-laws.

Commenting on the ongoing abduction of soldiers and policemen by Islamist gunmen, the Mustaqbal bloc expressed its sympathy with the relatives of the captives who have been blocking roads throughout Lebanon to pressure the government to exert more efforts to release them.

“This cause belongs to the government and all of the Lebanese people,” it stated.

“It is therefore necessary for all sides to take the initiative and support the government and its position in this affair and refrain from hindering its efforts to release the hostages,” it added.

It urged the relatives to stop blocking roads, “which will enable the government to set this humanitarian and political affair at the top of its priorities.”

“The government should exert all possible effort to release the captives as soon as possible,” it said.

The soldiers and policemen were abducted in August by Islamists from Syria at the end of clashes in the northeastern town of Arsal between the army and the extremists.

Three of them have since been executed, some released, while the rest remain kidnapped.