by Gulf news – Joseph A. Kechichian, Senior Writer

Beirut: At least six months preparation time will be required before a Lebanese parliamentary election can be held under any new law, Interior Minister Nohad Mashnouq said on Friday. Lebanese politicians have indicated they are close to agreeing a new parliamentary election law after months of disputes over how the polls should be conducted. Parliament’s term is due to expire on June 20. Machnouk was speaking in televised comments after meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Lebanon is to hold a series of extraordinary legislative sessions from June 7 to June 20 in an attempt to save the country from constitutional crisis as politicians have failed thus far to agree on a new electoral law.

President Michel Aoun signed the presidential decree for the sessions on Thursday, after a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri and Berri. The announcment was made on Thursday at a Ramadan Iftar banquet held at Baabda Palace that was also attended by the Progressive Socialist Party head Walid Junblatt, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and a host of political, religious and social figures. Speaking with reporters after the Iftar, Hariri said recent talks on the law were positive but politicians have yet to iron out the details. The new law is expected to be based on full proportional representation in 15 districts.It was led by MP George Adwan from the Lebanse Forces party.