Th Daily Star - Ex-deputy speaker backs controversial election law, December 30th 2011

BEIRUT: Former Deputy-Speaker Elie Firzli said Thursday that a draft election law which the Orthodox Gathering had proposed was the “basis” for Lebanon to get out of sectarianism.

Interviewed by a local radio station, Firzli said the proposed election law moves “the struggle between sects to a struggle within each sect.” He said Christian leaders could not reject the proposal because it meets the needs of Christians.

Top Christian officials from the rival camps of March 14 and March 8 reached a rare agreement earlier in December on a proposal by the Orthodox Gathering, of which Firzli is a member.

It calls for a single electoral district, and for each sect electing its own MPs within a proportional representation system. The proposal sparked a controversy, as many said it enhanced sectarian sentiment. 

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Dec-30/158342-ex-deputy-speaker-backs-controversial-election-law.ashx#axzz1kkzRRrWi