Legal Measure Allows Suleiman to Rule as Acting President
President Michel Suleiman is mulling a legal measure to exercise his authorities as acting head of state if MPs failed to elect a new president by May 25, reports said Monday.
According to al-Akhbar newspaper, Suleiman asked Shadi Karam, one of his advisers, to draft a clause that would allow him to stay in power.
It quoted sources as saying that Suleiman claims the government of Premier Tammam Salam would not be able to fill the vacuum and that the country's top Christian post should be dealt with the same respect made to the speakership and the premiership.
Under the National Pact of 1943, the presidency is reserved for Maronite Christians. The prime minister should be a Sunni and the speaker a Shiite.
An Nahar daily said that Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi will intensify his contacts this week to pressure MPs into electing a new president.
If the parliament failed to choose a successor to Suleiman before the expiry of his six-year term on May 25, then efforts will be exerted to keep him at Baabda Palace pending the election of a new head of state, it said.
Western countries will also request the different parties to elect a president.
An Nahar quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the Ambassadors of the U.S., France and Britain are carrying out routine weekly meetings to discuss the presidential deadlock.
G.K.
H.K.
over 10 years
Ah, just like you do mistah with your ten or so laptops, tablets and smartphones. OK, now please send your little flies, and oh, don't rush, there's enough food for everyone. Shoufoo ya ness, kif la7 yekhwat Mama Bani.
over 10 years
Hey little boy Wolf Rear, I am talking to Mama, you go back to bed. Tell Mama that I'm waiting. Yalla, mshi wlah.
over 10 years
Allah Ye7mik ya 7ami ljamhoriyi
over 10 years
Hello anonymtexasusa
Sad state of affairs. Banana republic at best
pity Lebanon
over 10 years
even banana republics have democracy .
over 10 years
al-Akhbar has direct access to what Suleiman is mulling and they are always right!
over 10 years
I believe for this pass, it will still require the approval from the parliament. If that is the case, then that will be a teaser for all parties, and I mean all parties, on whether or not they refuse the vacuum in presidency...
over 10 years
It is said that behind every cloud there is a silver lining. The technicalities of keeping president Suleiman is power are there in bold ink, so let them attempt to create that vacuum and let Suleiman continue at the helm of this nation. They can take all their time, as long as we have a true gentleman and honest in every way one can look at it, we shall be better off with him than any of the two current contesters, Aoun and Geagea, both of whom are saddled with over-luggage of their own. Let Suleiman stay.
over 10 years
Lah wloh ya Roar my brother, it isn't as bad as that, walaw? Suleiman said it some two weeks ago, that come May 25th, he will go home, but if the different pundits keep to this old game of attrition, would he have a choice but save the nation? Now look at how Ibinwalidjumblat's flies will come all over the place. Lols.
over 10 years
Forgot to mention their thumbing machine, runs on diesel and can run all day.
over 10 years
My brother Roar, ya habibi, how did Suleiman destroy the nation? because he stood in the way of those who in truth are the ones who want to destroy it? In that case, he saved it. I very much suggest that you give me reasonable evidence of what you asserted as His Excellency's destruction of the nation, but please, it must be substantiated otherwise it won't stand.
over 10 years
a true honest gentleman keeps his word (our gentleman president said he will go home on the 25)
still it needs the approval of the parliament ie the extention hope the gentleman president gets the majority !!!!?
over 10 years
Didn't Aoun promise he would never boycott the elections ?
over 10 years
Yes I call it elections ! If you fail to have a candidate, that's not the Lebanese people's problem !
What do you call elections ? Imposing a candidate through blackmail ? This is not Syria, this is not Iran !
Not until you run over our dead bodies !
Anyway, what do you care, you don't believe in democracy and want to impose your candidate whatever traitor he is !
over 10 years
By the way, you fail to answer my question :
Didn't Aoun promise he would never boycott the elections ?
This makes him a liar.
Can you admit Aoun is a liar ? I dare you ... if not, shut up !
over 10 years
Stop evading my question ! Admit Aoun lied ! is it sooooo hard for your pride ?
And if M14 lied about new blood, too bad for them ... I don't see where this is my problem. I never supported them ! I share some same values but they don't have my support !
over 10 years
President Sulaiman has the right to remain in office, until 25th May. Anything extended more than that, is a violation & illegitimate.
over 10 years
@Mystic : Unless the KEZB abides by Lebanese laws and the constitution, please refrain from commenting on legal and political matters.
The Kezb and its weapons are illegitimate. And violation is Syria bombing Lebanese territory and Iran declaring Lebanon its Frontline.
Traitors are not entitled to opinions !
How can you even look at yourself in the mirror ?
over 10 years
You're delirious... what do yo umea I nominate the guy who killed my PM ? First who's my PM ? Hariri ? Who did I nominate ? geagea ?
You're crazy !
And if by this you're infering that Geagea kiled Hariri, thank you for making my week you idiot !
over 10 years
Not my PM either... unlike you, i turned the page on the civil war and refuse to cling to old warlords including aoun and geagea... move on !
over 10 years
I cannot but disagree with you ya akhi Mystic. In the constitution if La 7awla wala qouwati a complete deadlock is reached, then there is room for the constitution to ask Suleiman to stay. Walaw, would you say the same of Emile Lahoud's 3 year extension when the Syrian occupiers were here? A void at this time bodes badly for the nation, if M8 want to avoid the void then let M8 and M14 come to terms with a candidate that is agreeable by all sides. may I humbly suggest such outstanding patriots such as Demianos Kattar, or Ziad Baroud, or Boutros Harb or anyone that is a professional technocrat who will NOT serve as a rubber stamp for anyone.
over 10 years
You're right Tex, 100%.
over 10 years
If Christians were united, this would make Lebanon the ultimate sectarian country,
Instead, Sunnis and Shias should be divided in order to break sectarianism.
Sunnis are well divided today but problem is Shias harass and muzzle any leader who is not aligned to Iran !
over 10 years
u got a point fc...
over 10 years
You're really dumb FT. The more divided we are along other lines than sects and allegiances, the healthier the democracy and the more real the problems we address.
over 10 years
flamethrower, please leave christian affairs to the christians and worry about your shia affairs.
over 10 years
But I thought Suleiman doesn't want his term renewed? LOL. It's obvious he thinks he's in Saudi Arabia where his position is his for life.
Deport Suleiman to Saudi Arabia now!
According to Al Akhbar is like saying according to flamethrower or mowaten or even worse southern.!