NNA - We are going ahead in upholding the Greek-Orthodox electoral law, minister of Labour Shakib Qortbawi, informed Voice of Lebanon radio station talk show today.
The minister predicated his upholding of the Orthodox law on continued withholding of alternative proposed laws by the Lebanese polity. He expressed satisfaction over what he termed as "Christian consensus and Amal/Hizbullah consent to the same law."
The minister retorted his belief in the law's ability to safeguard Christian-Muslim parity while honouring the Taef Agreement.
He questioned president Sleiman's siding with the pro-Hariri camp against what he qualified as" the newfound Christian consensus." Qortbawi reiterated however that ample time is yet available for holding the elections on time.
He anticipated that the upcoming Monday meeting of the parliamentarian sub-commission would decide the final outcome of the Orthodox law.
He cited Code #140 allowing Telecommunications' minister Nicola Sahnawi to withhold any data deemed classified under the law and disclosed having acted upon orders from the prime minister.
With respect to the so-called "impossible exoneration" he challenged pro-Hariris to urgently respond to incriminating Audit-bureau reports.
He added that salary scales need to wait for the allotted resources tube secure albeit, he allayed fears to the effect that no tax increases would be implemented.
He acknowledged raises in the electricity bills and that the annual state budget has not been approved yet.
On lifting the parliamentarian immunity of Boutros Harb; he favoured a quick ruling far from any gossip.
Qortbawi disclosed the establishment of a special tribunal with the purpose of trying Islamists incarcerated in Roumyeh prison.
He commented about newly-wedded civil marriage couple as having confronted the Interior minister with their fait acompli and threw the ball into parliament court when he said "it is high time to punch the thick-walled sectarianism by passing a voluntary civil law."
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