As he stressed that the Orthodox Gathering proposal is the only law approved by the parliamentary committees, Speaker Nabih Berri told those who have been dreaming to return to the 1960 law to keep dreaming.

As he stressed that the Orthodox Gathering proposal is the only law approved by the parliamentary committees, Speaker Nabih Berri told those who have been dreaming to return to the 1960 law to keep dreaming.

In remarks published by local daily on Wednesday, Berri rejected calls for a parliamentary session before May 15 over the absence of a consensual electoral draft-law.

“If I decide to call for a session now, I will only have the Orthodox Gathering proposal on the agenda for being the only plan approved by the joint parliamentary committees and referred to the general assembly,” the speaker said.

He urged rival political factions Tuesday to reverse a decision suspending meetings of a parliamentary subcommittee tasked with studying draft election laws, saying there was still time for members to come to an agreement.

“I fear that differences will mount inside Parliament. That’s why it is more useful that all parties revise their stances and resume subcommittee meetings,” Berri told another local newspaper.

Meanwhile, the speaker stressed there would be no return to the 1960 law.
“Those dreaming of reviving the 1960 law will continue to dream, because there will be no return to the 1960 law,” Berri said.