Christian leader Michel Aoun proposed Thursday a "salvation solution" to Lebanon's presidential crisis that allows him to name an interim president from outside the ranks of his parliamentary bloc and movement.
Aoun's six-point proposal also allows the majority bloc leader in the parliament Saad Hariri to name a "consensus premier" from outside the ranks of his party. Aoun proposal includes the formation of an "entente and national unity government" where the majority would be represented by 55% of the ministers while the opposition gets a 45%-share. Each of the majority and opposition would have the right to control two "sovereignty-related portfolios," according to the Aoun plan., cited by A Nahar website.
The proposed government's policy statement should include commitments to approve a new election law by which the county is the election constituency and to organize parliamentary elections in accordance to the new law by no later than 2009, agreeing on a final settlement to the issue of displaced Lebanese citizens, reconsidering the by laws of the constitutional council and naming its members on a consensus base simultaneously with the formation of the government.
In addition, Aoun's proposal said Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman should maintain his post. However, if the Army Commander's post went vacant for any reason, the new president would have an "extraordinary authority" to name a successor, it noted.
Aoun said his proposal is valid until 11:00 pm Friday, one hour before President Emile Lahoud's term expires.
Aoun's move came after a member of the ruling bloc told the AFP news agency that a parliamentary session slated for Friday would not take place. "Friday's session has been postponed," Solange Gemayel said. According to her, the postponement of the session to elect new president would be officially announced by Nabih Berri, parliament's speaker.
