Parliamentary joint committee convenes in the presence of Future Bloc MPs

The Parliamentary Joint Committees convened on Monday at the parliament in the presence of Future Bloc MPs who previously announced that they would boycott the sessions since the cabinet is attending them.

On the onset of the meeting, Speaker Nabih Berri said: "If we do not agree with one another, danger faces Lebanon".            

The joint committees discussed the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law along with the cabinet's proposal and other electoral suggestions referred by the subcommittee.

Following the morning session, the Future bloc held a press conference and stated its position regarding Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law.MP Fouad Siniora spoke on behalf of the bloc's MPs and said that the joint committees discussed the proposed laws, including that of the Orthodox Gathering.

According to Siniora, the Orthodox proposal "increases division among the Lebanese and aggravates the situation in Lebanon".

"We are seeking an electoral law that can preserve coexistence and moderation in Lebanon," Siniora stated.

He then added that there is a possibility that serious discussions will be taking place during the joint parliamentary committees' sessions to reach a consensus over a new electoral law.

In turn, FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan said that "an electoral proposal which does not ensure equality violates the Constitution and the Taif Agreement.

"We are seeking an agreement, but not at the expense of true equality," Kanaan stressed, reiterating that his bloc will vote for the Orthodox Gathering proposal since "it is the sole proposed law that ensures 'real equity'.

"In this context, Kataeb MP Sami Gemayel reportedly defended the Orthodox Gathering's draft law during the session, emphasizing that it guarantees adequate representation.