President Michel Suleiman stressed that the parliamentary elections will be held on time, while emphasizing the government’s agreement on an electoral law based on proportional representation. He said: “The draft law was referred to parliament for discussion and the ministers should not violate the government’s consensus over the proposal.”

 

He made his remarks at the beginning of a cabinet session held at the Baabda Palace. Suleiman continued: “There has been talk that the president has violated the Christian consensus over an electoral law, and that is not true.” “How could I have violated a consensus that I was not consulted over?” he wondered in reference to his opposition to the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law that enjoys the agreement of a Christian four-party committee comprised of the Phalange Party, Marada Movement, Free Patriotic Movement, and Lebanese Forces. [Link]