Sleiman seeks abolition of religion in Lebanese politics
AFP
BEIRUT - President Michel Sleiman called in a television speech on Saturday for the establishment of a committee to work towards the abolition of religion-based politics in Lebanon.
"To encourage vast participation (in political life), a national committee should be established and charged with abolishing confessionalism in politics," he said in a speech marking Sunday's 66th anniversary of independence.
In line with the current power-sharing system in Lebanon, the president is a Maronite Christian, the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim and the prime minister a Sunni Muslim.
Earlier this month Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of murdered ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, announced the formation of his new government more than four months after his US- and Saudi-backed alliance defeated a Hezbollah-led bloc backed by Syria and Iran in a general election.
His 30-member cabinet is composed of 15 seats for his coalition, 10 for Hezbollah's camp, and five for Sleiman appointees.
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Image: AFP/File/Javier Soriano.