Latest news with #AbouFaour
Nahar Net
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Akkar MP calls for a 'solution federalism'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 03 March 2025, 12:55 MP Walid al-Baarini, who represents the impoverished region of Akkar in parliament, has defended his recent call for 'federalism,' saying his proposal 'carries unification rather than partitioning as some are claiming for their own reasons.' 'Perhaps there is a necessity now for each side to win its right from the central state, regardless of numbers, strength and affiliations,' Baarini said in an interview with the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper. 'We the Sunnis are advocates of the Taif Agreement and we stress the need to implement it, and those who have prevented its implementation are the ones seeking partitioning,' Baarini added. 'We demand broad decentralization and call for a serious discussion that would bring down all barriers among the Lebanese. Some say that federalism is appropriate in Switzerland but not in our country, and this is not true. That's why we invite you to dialogue and let's adopt 'Lebanonized federalism' and choose what fits our country,' the lawmaker went on to say. He added: 'We're all seeing the direction in which the region is headed, so why should we close our eyes and ears? If we want federalism, we want it to be a solution federalism, not a partitioning of war federalism. We want it to achieve balanced developments and bring down the barricades. We want to prevent partitioning not to consolidate it, because the state's adopted policy of supporting a certain region or sect at the expense of other regions and sects is partitioning itself.' The issue of federalism had recently stirred a debate in parliament, with MP Wael Abou Faour noting that some ministers in the new government are 'advocates of federalism,' in an apparent reference to Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury, the former secretary-general of 'Ittihadiyoun,' a federalist association in Lebanon. 'Your opinion is your right and no one can dispute that, but this government is clearly committed to the Document of National Accord (Taif Agreement), which does not mention federalism nor does it accept it, and accordingly and with all due respect for you and your ideas, we hope your work in your ministries will abide by the Document of National Accord,' Abou Faour said. MP Nadim Gemayel of the Kataeb Party intervened, telling Abou Faour that 'some parties are thinking of the (Islamic) Ummah and of Iran and other things,' prompting the MP to say that he also does not support that. 'This is a healthy debate, if someone believes that federalism is a solution, let them come to parliament to amend the constitution and establish federalism, but this government … is committed to the Document of National Accord,' Abou Faour added.
LBCI
26-02-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Abou Faour: Government must prioritize liberation, reconstruction, and reform
During the parliamentary session to discuss the ministerial statement, MP Wael Abou Faour expressed optimism about the newly formed government, emphasizing that its top priorities should be the liberation of remaining occupied Lebanese territories, the return of prisoners, reconstruction efforts, and upholding the sovereignty of the Lebanese state. Abou Faour called for lifting all political immunities, stressing that officials should be held accountable before the judiciary like any ordinary citizen. He urged the government to re-launch the reform process, starting with lowering the voting age to 18, adopting a new electoral law reinforcing national unity, implementing expanded administrative decentralization, and establishing a Senate. Addressing the ministers, Abou Faour underscored that the government is committed to the National Accord—Taif Agreement, which does not recognize or accept federalism. He hoped that its policies and actions would remain aligned with the accord's principles and not be influenced by alternative political visions.
