Miqati Holds onto Equal Power Sharing, Says Centrism Defended Lebanon
Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia this month, warned on Tuesday that the so-called Orthodox Gathering electoral proposal threatens the balance set by the Taef Agreement.
The Orthodox Gathering proposal, which calls for dividing Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to elect its own MPs based on a proportional representation system, leads to “more divisions among the Lebanese and threatens the balance set by the Taef,” Miqati told As Safir daily.
He expressed fears that the adoption of the proposal in this year's parliamentary elections could lead the country to the unknown.
“Are its supporters aware of its dangers and consequences?” Miqati asked. “Aren't they aware that this proposal is an indirect count of the number of Lebanese and the size of sects in Lebanon?”
Miqati wondered whether it was necessary to take such a “dangerous risk.”
The prime minister reiterated that he holds onto the Muslim-Christian partnership in the country, countering accusations of calling for a "tripartite system,” which he said is “not on his agenda.”
Miqati called for the adoption of an electoral draft-law that guarantees the right representation for all sects and mainly Christian confessions and then the establishment of a senate based on the Orthodox proposal.
He criticized Energy Minister Jebran Bassil without mentioning him, saying he was advocating the adoption of the proposal at a time when he had approved a government bill that calls for dividing Lebanon into 13 districts based on proportional representation.
“I am surprised that some (officials) have mobilized themselves to defend the Orthodox proposal at a time when they should defend the government's draft-law,” Miqati told As Safir.
He accused him of using “double standards” at a time when he was among the first ministers to adopt the government's bill.
“The problem is that some people are determined to head towards collapse and are telling us to follow them but we will definitely not do that,” Miqati said.
He defended President Michel Suleiman for criticizing the Orthodox proposal, saying he is acting out of his respect for his oath to preserve the constitution and national unity.
“It is natural for the president to stand against the proposal because it is unconstitutional,” Miqati told As Safir.
Asked about Bassil's criticism of the country's centrists, the PM said: “No one can deny that centrism warded off dangers from Lebanon and defended it in these difficult circumstances."
“Who else can defend the country?” he asked.
The newspaper said that Miqati is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia before January 21 to participate in an Arab economic summit.
Highly-informed sources did not rule out meetings between Miqati and several Saudi officials on the sidelines of the summit.
As Safir said the prime minister will return to Beirut on January 22 to chair a cabinet session and then travel to the Swiss mountain resort in Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum.
almost 12 years
lol what is centrism anyway in lebanon?
almost 12 years
How can Miqati argue, on behalf of Sunnis and Shiites (the latter presumably the third bloc is this fearful proposed "tripartite" system), that Christians should get disproportionate high numbers of members of parliament for their actual share of the vote? The recent election saw March 14 with 45% of the vote and 55% of the MP's, vice versa for March 8. He must view foreign influences as more real than actual Lebanese present in person. Is Saudi supporting the Christians over Muslims, Qatar, etc., or does this disproportionality prove that the center of Lebanese politics is still up in Europe? I mean in terms of power, money, intimidation, prestige, legitimacy.
How extreme is this disproportionality? Miqati says one risk of the proposed plan is it would reveal just how few Christians there are electing their huge reserved bloc of MP's, and how numerous the Shiites of Lebanon are: a census would be death to the present system.
almost 12 years
it's not about numbers
numbers will change in time. especially when war finally ends.
it's about all people of lebanon having mechanisms to protect their rights,
almost 12 years
A senate is long overdue condition of the taef accord. Let us have senate and parliament elections at the same time.parliament will be based on one person one vote. The senate will be based on 50/50 with senate dealing with the big issues.I would add that the president should remain christian (not necessarily maronite) and elected directly by the people. The prime minister and speaker of parliament will rotate between a Shia and Sunni.
No comments after 8 hours!!! centrism is boring to Lebanese people...