Sleiman: I won't sign parliament extended mandate

I won't sign parliament extended mandate bill, Lebanese president Michel Sleiman, told newsmen following his behind closed doors' meeting with the Maronite patriarch in Bkirki early today. The president regarded abrogation of any electoral date tantamount to a grave sin and, that entering a state of void would be a deadly sin. He reiterated full agreement with the patriarch over the necessity of holding the elections right on time and, at any cost. Sleiman qualified the task of any new government as preserving peace and stability in the country while striving to contain any fallout from the Syrian crisis. While holding politicians responsible for the present impasse, with the majority of the people rejecting Code # 60, approval of a fresh electoral law, seems inevitable the president concluded.