US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea discussed with Speaker Nabih Berry the issue of constitutional impediments that he said prevent the election of Lebanese Commander-in-Chief Joseph Aoun. The obstacle, as per Berry, is the amendment of article no.49.
According to a constitutional expert, “there is a proposal that ensures Aoun’s accession without an election, as Aoun is agreed upon and secures more than two-thirds for his election.”
The expert added that “this prevents any appeal because an appeal should be presented by one-third of the members of parliament within 24 hours, and these conditions won’t be met.”
Therefore, the expert stated that “Aoun can be elected without a constitutional amendment similar to when Army Commander Gen. Michel Sleiman was elected back in 2008.”
