Extension of Parliament’s term seems inevitable

BEIRUT: Although Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement staunchly oppose a new extension of Parliament’s mandate, the postponement appears to be inevitable given the fact that holding elections has become difficult for security reasons, parliamentary sources in the Progressive Socialist Party said Friday.

“Because it is difficult to hold parliamentary polls on time, the extension of Parliament’s term is bound to happen. But the duration of the delay is still the subject of debate and negotiation,” the sources told The Daily Star.

Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk last month reiterated that his ministry was not prepared to hold parliamentary elections, scheduled Nov. 16, given the precarious security conditions, in the strongest signal yet that the vote would be postponed, clearing the way for a new extension of Parliament’s mandate which expires on Nov. 20.

The sources supported Machnouk’s statement in which he said that the new extension of Parliament’s term should be for two years and seven months to make it a full four-year mandate after lawmakers, citing security concerns, extended the House’s term for 17 months in May 2013.

The sources hoped that during Parliament’s extended term, a new president should be elected, a new Cabinet should be formed and parliamentary elections should be held.

The sources lamented that the government of Prime Minister Tammam Salam has failed to solve the people’s daily problems, such as the water shortage, electricity cutoffs and bad roads.

Describing the situation in Lebanon as worrisome in general, the sources underlined the need for all rival political factions to be in contact with each other in order to discuss divisive issues and contain their differences.

“Resorting to the Lebanese state and upholding national unity are the only guarantee to protect our country and our national security,” the sources said.

Referring to Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb’s meeting this week with Aoun at the latter’s residence in Rabieh during which Chehayeb delivered a letter from PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt, the sources denied media reports that the letter dealt with the presidential election, the case of the Lebanese soldiers and policemen held hostage by ISIS and Nusra Front, or the building of camps for Syrian refugees.

However, FPM sources said Jumblatt’s letter dealt with the issue of Electricite du Liban contract workers because the Energy Ministry is currently held by Aoun’s Change and Reform bloc.

The contract workers have been protesting for months inside the EDL building to demand full-time employment with the state-run company.

Through his letter, Jumblatt wanted to coordinate with Aoun over a proposal to solve this crisis which is threatening to leave most Lebanese areas without electricity, the FPM sources said.

The PSP sources said Jumblatt’s meetings recently with various political leaders had nothing to do with the presidential election. The sources dismissed as “pure speculation” media reports that Jumblatt was proposing a plan for the election of Aoun as a president for a two-year term during which parliamentary elections could be held.

Referring to the political deadlock that has left Lebanon without a president for more than four months, the sources said the crisis has become more complicated and there are no signs pointing to the election of a successor to former President Michel Sleiman soon.

“But sooner or later, Lebanon will have a Maronite Christian president,” the sources said, urging the rival political leaders to agree on a consensus president.

Meanwhile, political sources said the PSP leader’s moves, which are coordinated with his “permanent ally,” Berri, were designed to promote a candidate for the presidency who can be accepted by all the parties after strong candidates have exhausted their chances for the country’s top Christian post.

Hezbollah is kept updated on the Berri-Jumblatt moves concerning the presidential election, especially since a party delegation visited the PSP leader this week before the latter’s trip for France, the sources said.

While Berri and Jumblatt are seeking to promote a consensus candidate for the presidency, the sources said, Aoun probably can help in choosing one name among candidates viewed as consensus nominees.

In light of the global war on ISIS and other terrorist groups, a security and military consensus applies to Army commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi, the sources said.

The sources added that consensus over Kahwagi needs Aoun’s approval and a constitutional amendment to allow the Army chief to run for the presidency.

Political consensus, coupled with a compromise among regional powers with influence in Lebanon, requires a president who has political expertise and maintains balanced relations with all the political parties, like former Minister Jean Obeid, the sources said.

They added that a name who combines political, security and military consensus is Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Vatican Brig. George Khoury.

The sources said that moves linked to the extension of Parliament’s term would definitely lead to refocusing attention on the presidential election on the grounds that a House that can secure a quorum to extend its mandate should first meet to elect a new president.