Jumblatt and Hariri reject Orthodox Gathering law

Head of the National Struggle Front in Lebanon, Walid Jumblatt, said that he met with the former PM and Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri in Paris. “We share the same view that the proposed Orthodox Gathering law should be rejected and we do not agree on dividing Lebanon into 50 electoral districts. However the meeting was friendly and frank,” Jumblatt told Future television on Saturday. Jumblatt described Hariri’s initiative regarding the Senate as "excellent,” and a step forward. He added “We hope that all the politician’s stay away of the sectarianism. But since we cannot achieve that at the present time, we must create a Senate according to the Taif agreement because it creates a kind of balance." On the other side, Jumblatt described Hariri’s stance of the civil marriage as "excellent” stating that no one should be forced to oblige to any one religion. "We have to reach a consensus before the elections, as no party can exclude the other in Lebanon and we are open to all the proposals, but we do not accept to be excluded," added Jumblatt, stressing that they should reach an agreement before the elections.