Presidential Elections Delayed to Oct. 21 as Harb Laments 'Postponement Farce'
The presidential elections were postponed for the 29th time on Wednesday after a lack of quorum at parliament.
Speaker Nabih Berri scheduled the next session for October 21.
Following the meeting, Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb deemed the ongoing postponement of the polls as a “farce”.
He condemned linking the elections to regional developments, saying that the ongoing vacuum is an “insult” to the Lebanese people.
The minister stressed that the election of a head of state should be a top priority for officials, adding that he will propose it during the next national dialogue session.
Head of the Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora later stated from parliament: “We should elect a president who enjoys the support of the rival political camps.”
“We have stated at the national dialogue that we cannot resolve any issue without the election of a president and Berri agrees with us,” he added.
Settlements are a part of politics on condition that they respect the constitution, he continued.
“It is time that we return to respecting the constitution,” demanded the MP.
“Resolving problems should take part through communication, not boycotts,” stressed Saniora.
“There can be no substitute to dialogue. We will continue on communicating with rival parties until we reach an agreement,” he remarked.
This will ensure that Lebanon's system and constitution are respected, he added.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of successor.
Numerous electoral sessions have been scheduled, all but one were postponed over a lack of quorum.
Disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.
There are several candidates but none of them is willing to make compromises that would allow lawmakers to attend a session aimed at electing a head of state.
The presidential vacuum has hindered the government's ability to tackle growing security, economic and social problems.
M.T.
G.K.
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