Al-Rahi Hails Hariri's Initiative as Jumblat Describes it as 'Excellent'

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi praised on Saturday former Premier Saad Hariri's initiative on the parliamentary electoral law, saying that it helps revive dialogue among the Lebanese, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

Al-Rahi highlighted a number of the initiative's articles in a telephone call he conducted with Hariri.

He stressed to the former prime minister the importance of dialogue between the Lebanese political factions “in order to reach an agreement over a law that meets the aspirations of the people and grants them fair representation.”

Meanwhile, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat described to Future television on Saturday Hariri's initiative as “excellent.”

He also told An Nahar that his talks with Hariri in Paris earlier this week were “positive and frank.”

He had revealed on Saturday that no accord has been reached with Hariri over the electoral law draft proposed by the March 14 coalition, telling An Nahar that he opposes the adoption of 50 small-sized districts in the electoral law.

“We both, however, agreed on rejecting the Orthodox Gathering's draft law for its unconstitutionality,” Jumblat said in an interview with Future TV.

The Orthodox Gathering draft law calls for each sect to elect its own lawmakers. Meanwhile, the March 14 Christian MPs suggested to divide Lebanon into 50 small-sized districts based on a winner-takes-all system.

Jumblat and Hariri had held talks on Tuesday at the latter's residence in the French capital Paris during which the two leaders discussed the regional situation and the challenges facing Lebanon.

Hariri called on Thursday for a small-district law for this year’s parliamentary elections and for the establishment of a senate representing all religions and sects as stipulated by the Taef agreement.