Lebanon parl. decides to delay June vote

Lebanon’s parliament has decided to postpone the upcoming June 16 parliamentary elections due to political deadlock and security concerns linked to the unrest in Syria.

Lebanese lawmakers on Friday voted to extend the mandate of the parliament by a period of 17 months until November 2014.

It is the first time that the parliament makes such decision since the end of Lebanese 1975-90 Civil War.

The move came after the members of parliament have failed to agree on a new electoral law.

Michel Aoun, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, has criticized the move, saying, “The extension law neither respects the Constitution nor traditions.”

“They said they want to extend [Parliaments’ term] because there is a political crisis. I say that when there is a political crisis, Parliament’s term is shortened rather than extended,” Aoun said.

The move also sparked a protest rally in a main square near the parliament in the capital, Beirut.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-Designate Tamam Salam is also still unable to form a new government because of political divisions among political parties in the country.