Lebanon Looks Forward to Presidential Election Sunday

Lebanon Looks Forward to Presidential Election Sunday

Mohamad Shmaysani Readers Number : 74

23/05/2008 Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said that following the election of General Michel Suleiman as President on Sunday and the formation of the new government, he will set up a mechanism to implement the article pertaining to the electoral law as agreed upon in the Qatari capital Doha. The Speaker added that that parliamentary committees will soon discuss the electoral project and accomplish it as soon as possible. The Lebanese daily al-Akhbar said that Berri will not allow the unconstitutional government of Fouad Saniora to participate in the election session as a "convened government." "He will not allow it to attend the other two sessions, one of which will see the president elect take the oath, because Berri considers this government as illegal and unconstitutional." According to the daily, Saniora's ministers who are also MPs will sit in their places while ministers will be allowed to sit in guests seats. Sources close to Saniora said that "he is very tired and needs to rest." Quoted by Assafir daily, the sources added that Saniora's main concern is to implement what has been agreed on. Army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman said Friday he will protect Lebanon and look after the implementation of the constitution in order to put the nation on the path to safety. "I will look over security and implementation of the constitution so as to put the nation on the path to safety in light of the changes going on around us," Suleiman told Assafir. "I cannot salvage the country single-handedly," Suleiman stressed. "This is everybody's task. The task is that of civilians before politicians. " The UN Security Council on Thursday welcomed the breakthrough deal reached in Doha. The UN “welcomes and strongly supports the agreement reached by Lebanese leaders in Doha on May 21, which constitutes an essential step towards the resolution of the current crisis and the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity, stability and independence.” In a non-binding statement adopted by all its 15 members, the Council also “welcomes the agreement to ban the use of weapons for political gains, irrespective of their nature and under any circumstances.”