Lebanon's political parties agree on completing Taif Agreement

BEIRUT, June 22 (KUNA) - The Lebanese political parties have agreed to complete the enforcement of the Taif Agreement of 1989, and to enhance the economic scene and reform in the country.
The heads of the political parties represented in the government attended on Thursday a consultative meeting at Baabda Palace chaired by President Michel Aoun, the Lebanese Presidency said in a statement. Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Lebanon Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri attended.
The meeting approved a work paper that stressed the necessity of completing the application of the Taif Agreement signed in Saudi Arabia in 1989, especially what is related to the power-sharing, fifty-fifty formula between Muslims and Christians and forming a national commission for abolition of political sectarianism.
Lebanon requires us to agree on the National Charter document and maintain our pluralistic system for a full transition to the comprehensive civil state, in what it includes of parity, up to the formation of a national commission for the abolition of sectarianism," the statement, relayed by the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) read.
In addition, the meeting underscored the need for administrative decentralization, and rejected "resettlement and naturalization for any group whatsoever." Meanwhile, the meeting stressed that "Lebanon, which is economically sound, needs to implement a comprehensive economic plan, which will generate the State budget, secure economic growth, create jobs, and promote balanced development," calling for the revival of the Economic and Social Council as soon as possible. The meeting follows a newly-approved election bill and the 11-month extension of the current parliament in office, till the next elections in May 2018. (end) wsm.mm.msa