The Lebanese government on Monday wrote down a bill amending the constitution that paves the way for electing Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman for the president of the country.
The government also approved a motion for an extraordinary legislative session by parliament as of Jan. 1.
According to local daily Nahar on Monday, a petition will circulate in parliament to gather the signatures of 68 lawmakers from the pro-government March 14 coalition to back the draft law.
The house goes into a legislative recess for nearly three months as of Dec. 31, but retains its right to elect a new head of state in light of the persisting presidential void since Nov. 24.
Lebanon has been without a president since ex-President Emile Lahoud's term expired on Nov. 24 as rival camps have not agreed on a successor.
Though the majority and the opposition have later agreed on electing Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as new president, the two rival sides remain at odds over the election process and the shape of a new government.
The opposition is demanding a "basket" of guarantees on the new government line-up ahead of any vote.
The ruling coalition has insisted that deciding the make-up of the cabinet is a prerogative of the new president, traditionally drawn from the Maronite Christian community, which has expressed fears for its role in the Muslim-majority country.
Lebanese ruling coalition and the opposition have been separated by a wide chasm since six of the latter's ministers resigned from Premier Fouad Seniora's government last November.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article