Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad urged Sunday the implementation of reforms to combat corruption but added that it was equally important to preserve Lebanon’s democratic parliamentary system and parity representation between Muslims and Christians in the legislature based on the Taef Accord.

“We demand reforms, not a coup. We demand solutions, not chaos. We demand a constitutional way out that will not lead to vacuum because vacuum translates into chaos and chaos results in the destruction of our nation,” Moawad said.

The constitutional way out starts with the swift election of a president who will spearhead the formation of a new Cabinet to be tasked exclusively with the formulation of a new electoral law that will guarantee just representation for all factions, Moawad said.

However, Moawad warned that this constitutional process is threatened by the illegitimate possession of weapons by non-state actors who refuse to abide by the election results.

On the economic and environmental front, Moawad said the central government has failed to deal with issues affecting the daily life of citizens as demonstrated by the recent trash crisis, which requires the implementation of administrative decentralization.

Moawad was speaking at Ehden Country Club where the Association of Social Aid hosted its annual dinner.

The dinner was attended by former Social Affairs Minister Nayla Moawad, Bishop Maroun Al-Ammar, Zgharta mayor Chehwan Al Ghazal Moawad, March 14 official Youssef Al Douaihy and representatives of a number of political parties.