In a comment on the third round of the parliamentary elections, former Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon Issam Fares pinned hopes on the future of democracy in Lebanon, lauding the high electoral turnover in the different areas of the Mountain and the Bekaa.

Fares did not express surprise at the outcome of the elections in these areas although some candidates who enjoy representative qualities have failed to score victory. He considered that the chaos and reactions the electoral scene is witnessing is clear evidence about the electorate’s opposition to the 2000 electoral law.

Fares expressed astonishment that, in the midst of the electoral atmosphere, the Lebanese Government has speeded and accelerated the settlement of the cellular conflict with the FTML Company, worth $96 million for the sake of the company and the compromise of the state’s rights.

He voiced regret at this unjustified accelerating pace, deeming that the Lebanese State could have waited for a few months before Geneva’s Tribunal examines the appeal presented by the Telecommunications Ministry. Fares noted that the current minister only received this file a few weeks ago, which raises big question marks over the timing and the circumstances of this compromise and the interests it serves for the Lebanese State.

In conclusion, Fares condemned the expiring Cabinet’s latest decision to pay this colossal amount for the settlement of the conflict at a time when the Paris Meeting convenes to examine the means to assist Lebanon due to its volatile financial situation, under the conditions of refraining to embezzle public funds and to work on the introduction of radical socio-political reforms.

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