Sleiman Reject Extending Parliament Term: Elections Should Be Held On Time

Lebanon President Michel Sleiman said Sunday that holding parliamentary elections under 1960’s electoral law is wrong, but that not holding the elections at all is a fatal sin.
After a closed-door meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, Sleiman said that political parties are obligated to agree on a new electoral law. “The majority of the Lebanese people do not want to hold the elections based on the 1960, but they also want the elections to be held,” he said.

Sleiman stressed that no one can obstruct the elections because staging them is stipulated in the constitution. “They should be held regardless of what type of government is formed,” he added. He also revealed that he will renew his call on political parties to return to the national dialogue.

The Lebanese President rejected the possibility of extending the term of the current parliament.

He reiterated the patriarch’s statements over holding the elections on time, adding: “The new government will be tasked with holding the polls, limiting the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon, and maintaining stability.”