Bassil Warns Foreign Diplomats against 'Meddling' in Elections

Free Patriotic Movement chief and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Sunday warned of "foreign attempts" to meddle in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

"Foreign attempts to meddle in our parliamentary elections have started, but the era in which ambassadors used to choose our MPs has ended," said Bassil during a tour of the Akkar region.

"I warn against the interference of foreign forces in our affairs and I caution all those who work in the diplomatic field to know their limits and abide by diplomatic norms and international conventions," Bassil added.

He noted that Lebanon is keen not to join foreign axes while noting that the country "does not want interferences that are prohibited by the Arab League charter."

‏‎Earlier in the day, Bassil criticized Lebanese parties “dismayed by the return of partnership” between Christians and Muslims in the country.

“Those dismayed by the return of partnership and electoral reform are expressing their dismay in several ways,” Bassil said.

“Facing attempts to usurp your rights, you must respond through voting and a heavy and effective turnout,” the FPM leader added, addressing FPM supporters in Akkar.

“Our insistence on the full implementation of the electoral law as it was passed in parliament is aimed at enabling every voter in Lebanon to effectively participate in the electoral process,” Bassil went on to say.

The new electoral law replaces the winner-takes-all voting system with proportional representation and reduces the number of electoral districts from 26 to 15.

It comes after years of wrangling during which political parties rejected various proposals for fear of losing parliamentary seats.