Lebanese Prime Minister Calls for Implementation of the Taif Agreement and Constitutional Development to Close Loopholes Causing Deadlock
Beirut, October 7 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam called on Wednesday for the full and effective implementation of all provisions of the National Accord Document issued in Taif, and for closing constitutional loopholes to overcome crises of paralysis and institutional gridlock.
Salam made these remarks in a speech delivered on the occasion of the centennial commemoration of the issuance of the Lebanese Constitution on May 23, 1926. In his address, he reviewed key milestones in modern Lebanese history, starting with the Independence Pact of 1943 and leading up to the Taif Agreement, which put an end to the civil war and outlined the contours of renewing the national contract.
Salam emphasized the importance of implementing the pending provisions of the Taif Agreement, foremost among them being the formulation of a phased plan to abolish political sectarianism, the establishment of a Senate, the application of extended administrative decentralization, and the achievement of balanced development. He also stressed the need to “restrict public positions with sectarian representation to the first category only, without continuing to extend them to all other administrative ranks.”
He underscored that the establishment of a genuine state relies on extending its authority, through its own forces, over its entire territory, dissolving militias, and monopolizing legitimate power, as well as decisions on war, peace, and national security, within official constitutional institutions. He added that “the sovereignty of the people and the rule of law are incompatible with multiple sources of power operating outside legitimate frameworks.”
The Lebanese Prime Minister pointed out that the political experience has revealed long-standing constitutional crises “that cannot be evaded from addressing, foremost among them the persistent obstruction in electing presidents of the Republic, the delays accompanying the formation of governments, and the continuous disputes over constitutional deadlines and mechanisms for interpreting constitutional provisions.”
Salam considered that “there is no contradiction between protecting pluralism and building the state, nor between respecting the Taif Agreement and reforming the political system to ensure the country’s stability and protect the freedom and sovereignty of its citizens.” He noted that the Lebanese Constitution is based on pluralism, “which must be a source of strength for the nation, not a place of weakness.” (End) F.Z. / N.S.A.
