BEIRUT: The speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, put forward an urgent draft law on Monday to end Parliament’s term on Dec. 31 this year, instead of May 2018.
That would mean parliamentary elections — set to be held under a proportional representation system for the first time in Lebanon’s history — would take place in 2017.
Lebanon’s lawmakers have extended their own term three times since they were elected for a four-year period in 2009, and in June they extended it for another 11 months “for technical reasons.”
Berri said that previous extension was granted to ensure enough time to issue biometric ID cards to citizens, but the government only approved that step in its special session on Sunday. It is estimated that the shift to biometric ID cards will cost $130 million.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said on Tuesday that his “party is ready for the elections whenever the Ministry of Interior can hold them, using the current identity cards.”
He said that his party’s opposition to the introduction of biometric cards was a result of Lebanese Forces’ “commitment to transparency.”
The Kataeb Party, headed by MP Sami Gemayel, also opposed the switch to biometric cards, saying they were an attempt to rig the elections and re-elect the same lawmakers.
The switch to biometric cards will pose a number of problems. If they are adopted, 3,800,000 cards would have to be delivered in the next three months — which would be very difficult if not impossible.
Atef Majdalani, a member of the Future Movement parliamentary bloc, warned that the “reforms we are working on” – could not be guaranteed if the parliamentary term is shortened.
Zeina El-Helou, secretary general of the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), said that introducing biometric ID cards was a positive step, but that it might delay the elections for a fourth time.
Walid Fakhreddine, former executive director of LADE, said that voters who are not affiliated to any particular party would be unlikely to receive biometric ID cards in time for the elections, whereas parties were likely to speed up the process for their supporters.
Fakhreddine, however, added that the real problem lay not with ID cards, but in the electoral laws’ flaws, particularly the requirement that people vote in their places of birth.
Lebanon takes steps toward long overdue elections
Lebanon takes steps toward long overdue elections
GCC states ‘face reliance on Saudi Arabia for food imports’
- With 70 percent of food coming through Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn of inevitable shortages
DUBAI: Some Gulf states may have to rely on overland food deliveries from Saudi Arabia if the US-Israel-Iran war continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restrict regional airspace, analysts warned on Thursday.
The region is up to 90 percent dependent on food imports, and price surges and scarcity of some goods are expected.
“With over 70 percent of GCC foodstuffs being imported through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states face shortages if the war persists,” said Neil Quilliam of the Chatham House think tank.
“While GCC countries have taken steps to diversify suppliers and ensure sufficient stores to withstand disruption, this can only last several months. At this point, price increases and longer lead times will start to hit the markets.”
Commodities analyst Ishan Bhanu said: “The biggest immediate effect will be due to the blockade of Jebel Ali in Dubai, serving about 50 million people. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq effectively become landlocked and will depend on overland routes through Saudi Arabia.”
Bottlenecks are yet to show and the UAE has said its strategic reserves of vital goods cover four to six months of needs. It urged residents to report unjustified price increases through a dedicated hotline.
Supermarket staff throughout the Gulf said shelves remain largely stocked, though suppliers are taking longer to replenish certain products. Iran’s strikes on the Gulf since Saturday prompted panic buying in supermarkets, a dry run for what could come.
“Perception of risk matters, and even if stocks are sufficient now, public runs on supermarkets can spook the public,” Quilliam said.
