You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Hezbollah rejects cabinet's constitutional amendment draft
2007-12-27
(Xinhua) -- Hezbollah on Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment bill adopted by the majority government to open the door for the election of Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as president. The constitutional amendment bill by the government was tantamount to "usurping presidential powers," said a statement released by Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc.

"That provides clear evidence to the crime of premeditated usurping of authority and a coup against the constitution, despite (the fact) that what has been adopted by the government two days ago carries no constitutional or practical values," the statement said. The bill "is a provocative measure designed to test the opposition's response," the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc said, warning that "such a performance opens the door to new complications for which the authority would be held fully responsible."

Earlier on Monday, Lebanese government wrote down a bill amending the constitution that paves the way for electing Suleiman to the presidency. The government also approved a motion for an extraordinary legislative session of the parliament as of Jan. 1, 2008.

The two sides have agreed on Suleiman as the man for the top post, but still remain at odds over the election process and the shape of a new government.
Posted by:Fred

00:00