Geagea calls on FPM to behave rationally, says hybrid law better than the 1960 law

      
Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea said on Wednesday that Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is still his closest ally, adding that discussions in regards to the hybrid electoral law were difficult.           

During a press conference held at his residence in Maarab, Geagea said that “the hybrid electoral draft is definitely better than the 1960 electoral law,” stressing that the Lebanese Forces did not proceed with its commitment to the Orthodox Gathering’s electoral draft “since it has become obvious that this draft law will not garner the support of all political factions and consequently will not be adopted”.          

In this regard, Geagea said that the Lebanese Forces presented an electoral proposal on the basis of 50-electoral districts and mentioned that this proposal is signed by the LF, the Kataeb Party, and MP Boutros Harb.         

“We did not proceed with the Orthodox Gathering’s draft since there was no hope for its legislation,” Geagea said.          

Geagea said that the Free Patriotic Movement knew that “their main goal was reaching a consensual electoral law such as the hybrid law presented by House Speaker Nabih Berri,” and called on the FPM to halt their accusatory tone and behave in a rational and responsible manner.            

Geagea praised the role of Bkreke in following up on the efforts exerted to reach an agreement and said that all political parties including the FPM, the Future Bloc, and the National Struggle Front played a major role in this regard.            

As for the hybrid electoral proposal, Geagea said that this hybrid proposal should be discussed during Friday’s General Authority session, expressing his hope that the Change and Reform Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun read this proposal so as to end up with a different conclusion.