Protests called as Lebanon MPs expected to extend own term

Lebanon’s parliament is expected to vote today to extend its own term until 2018 without an election, officials said, as activists called for protests to prevent what they said would be a blow to democracy.

“Short of any surprises, the extension will take place so that the country does not face a political vacuum,” said a Lebanese official.

Security is expected to be tight in downtown Beirut, where parliament is located.

“We are urging Lebanese to hold protests and prevent MPs from meeting,” said prominent activist Marwan Maalouf. “This is unconstitutional.”

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Critics accuse Lebanese politicians of using regional upheaval as an excuse to dodge elections.

“This will be the third time they extend in four years,” said activist Asaad Thebien. “This doesn’t happen in any country in the world.”

In October of 2016, parliament elected former army commander Michel Aoun as president, ending a 29-month vacuum.

Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper urged Aoun to step in to prevent unrest when parliament meets on Thursday.

“Intervene to prevent an explosion,” said the newspaper.