Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said that the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections would not take place if the Lebanese parties did not reach an agreement over a new electoral law.

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri said that the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections would not take place if the Lebanese parties did not reach an agreement over a new electoral law.

In an interview with Lebanese daily an-Nahar, Berri said that all the presented electoral draft laws will be examined before political factions agree on the most suitable one for the upcoming polls.

Asked about the current government of Premier Najib Miqati, the speaker said: “ This government is needed. When some said that a new cabinet will be established to oversee the elections I reply by saying that the current government will continue after the elections.”

In August, the cabinet approved an electoral law based on proportionality and 13 electoral districts for the 2013 elections.     

The ratified proposal seeks to replace the 1960 electoral law that is based on simple majority representation. However, a political consensus on the suitable electoral law has yet to be reached.