It is the first time ever in Lebanon’s history that a Lebanese president resorts to this article. Addressing the nation President Michel Aoun said:
Dear Lebanese
“I have, upon my election to the presidency, sworn an oath of fidelity to the constitution of the Lebanese motherland and its laws, and to the upholding of the independence of Lebanon and its unity and the safety of its territories.
The document of national accord, that has become an integral part of the Lebanese constitution, states that the Lebanese elections have to be held according to a new law, that takes into consideration the rules that guarantee the coexistence between the Lebanese and guarantees the true representation of all the different parties the Lebanese people as well as the effectiveness of such representation.
I have also promised in my swearing it speech, to strive towards the reform of the political representation of the Lebanese people on the previously described basis, and the government has also promised in their statement, in an effort to regain the people’s trust in government and its authorities and institutions, to bring about an electoral law that takes into account adequate and fair representation.
I have also warned repeatedly against the extension for it is unconstitutional and will definitely not be the path towards the recovery of the government and its authorities and institutions on a sound constitutional basis.
Dear Lebanese,
We are on the brink of the end of the extension, for the second time, for the current parliament, and so to allow for further communication between all the parties involved, and in order to prevent the exploitation of the Lebanese will with regards to their voting rights and their choice of representatives, thus placing everyone in front of their national responsibilities.
I have decided to postpone the scheduled parliamentary meeting for one month and this based on the text of Article 59 of the Lebanese constitution.”
