Islam Times - Saad Hariri disputes May 7 parliamentary elections in Syria

Islam Times - Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has disputed the May 7 parliamentary elections in Syria despite full preparation of the Syrians to participate in the event.

Hariri claimed that the elections “will be forged” and that the results have been “prepared in advance.”

The leader of the March 14 coalition made the remarks via video during a gathering of supporters of the Lebanese alliance in Beirut on Sunday.

Hariri’s claims come in spite of the fact that Syria is prepared to hold the first parliamentary elections under a new constitution that paved the way for a multiparty system in the country.

The Syrian government says it will be ready to provide all cities across the country with any requirements for the May 7 elections.

Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al-Sha’ar visited the polling stations in the capital, Damascus, on Sunday.

About 7,195 candidates, including independent and opposition figures, are running for 250 parliamentary seats.

Election officials say 11 new parties are participating in the May 7 event.

The elections are part of the reforms promised by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Hariri made the remarks several days after US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman traveled to Lebanon on May 2 to hold talks with members of the March 14 coalition and also Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP).

Lebanese University Professor Mohsen Saleh criticized the March 14 alliance and said that the coalition receives “many teachings from Feltman.”

Saleh said the purpose of organizing such gatherings of the March 14 supporters is to collect votes for the Lebanese parliamentary elections of 2013.

“They could not really gather many people around them,” Saleh said.