The president of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad stated: “Following the definitive elimination of the option of an extension to the Parliament’s mandate, all are asked to move one step forward towards a new Legislative Elections Law that ensures real political participation, and reinforces the National Pact principles and coexistence (العيش المشترك).

Moawad, after visiting Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Government’s Seat, said: “PM Hariri is a friend and a partner with whom we share a history of blood, struggles and continuous striving to establish the foundations for sovereignty, and the prevalence of the principles of pluralism, moderation and coexistence.”

Moawad added: “The meeting came after two relevant political stances by PM Hariri that we cannot but highly appreciate. The first was his visit to the South accompanied by the Minister of Defense and the Commander in Chief of the Army, which gave the assertion that the Lebanese State is the entity in charge and that Lebanon is committed to respecting International decisions, most notably UN Resolution 1701. The second stance was his announcement yesterday to refuse to cover any extension to the Parliament’s mandate, which constitutes a protection to real political participation, and reinforcement for Democracy and the principle of rotation in Power.”