Hariri unveils his electoral initiative via LBCI

Former PM Saad Hariri unveiled his initiative regarding the electoral law during his appearance on LBCI’s Kalam Ennas on Thursday evening. Mainly, it included holding the parliamentary elections on due time in accordance to an electoral law based on smaller districts to guarantee just representation, the formation of a Senate representing all sects following an agreed-upon constitutional amendment that would suspend the condition to abolish political sectarianism, implementing administrative decentralization and making the Baabda declaration a part of the constitution’s preamble.    

Hariri told Kalam Ennas, live from Paris, that the establishment of a Senate will ease the Christians’ fears. He stressed that Future bloc leader Fouad Siniora is working on this proposal, adding that the smaller districts draft law was suggested by Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun in 2007. “What we are suggesting is not one package; a constitutional amendment could take place before or after elections and we do not want proportionality due to Hezbollah's weapons,” he said.    

Hariri called for the election of a Senate based on the Orthodox Gathering’s law, but not on parliamentary elections based on the latter since it,“divides the Lebanese,” stressing the necessity of preserving coexistence. 
       
Hariri considered that the President and him will both appeal the Orthodox Gathering’s draft law if it were voted upon.        

Hariri considered that those who think that there will be a blocking third and governments of national unity if March 14 wins in the upcoming parliamentary elections are “mistaken.” He stressed the importance of moderation in the streets, away from extremism or weapons.            

Berri seeks to unify efforts    

On the role of House Speaker Nabih Berri, Hariri said that Berri is seeking to unify efforts to make sure elections are held on time.   

He stressed that National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt is "still a friend", adding that he did not discuss electoral alliances with him.     

On the assassination of late Rafik Hariri, he considered that the same perpetrator who killed his father was behind the assassination of martyr Wissam el-Hassan who, according to him, was killed because he revealed the Samaha-Mamlouk plot. Hariri pointed out that he has a personal problem with Hezbollah due to its failure to hand the 4 accused over to justice.   

Response to Mufti Qabbani                  

On another note, in response to the stance of Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Mohammad Qabbani on civil marriage, Hariri considered that accusing people of “Takfeerism” is prohibited, adding that this kind of rhetoric is unacceptable. He stressed that he supports civil marriage in Lebanon “if we wanted to establish a civil state.”    

On another note, Hariri said that he will return to Lebanon soon and will personally run in the parliamentary elections.     

On Syria        

Hariri said that what is happening in Syria is a “popular revolution.”      

“We will see the end of the oppressive Syrian regime after the revolution; this regime is involved in the killing of Rafik Hariri,” he said, adding that the truth in the assassination of his father will be revealed after the regime’s downfall.    

One injured in celebratory gunfire       

Simultaneously with the appearance of Hariri on LBCI, fireworks and celebratory gunfire were launched in Tripoli, Saadnayel, Kob Elias and other regions. As a result, a woman from al-Hamad family in Jabal Mohsen was injured due to gunfire in Bab el-Tebbaneh.

Three citizens were also admitted to hospitals last night in Tripoli after receiving injuries from the random shooting in the city.

Two of the injured left the hospital after being treated while a five year old boy, whose condition was average, will undergo an operation today.