Failing to Hold Elections Would Be Very Serious

Failing to Hold Elections Would Be Very Serious

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud on Tuesday warned that failing to hold parliamentary elections on the June 7 schedule would be a "very serious issue."

Baroud also said "security for the elections is not linked only to balloting day, but it is related to the whole atmosphere of the election campaign."

He was apparently responding to a call by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to hold the forthcoming elections along two days instead of just on June 7 as outlined by law.

Baroud said arrests have been made in connection with "all recent incidents," in reference to attacks against March 14 supporters who took part in a Beirut mass rally on Saturday marking the fourth anniversary of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri”s assassination. At least one person was killed and 30 people were wounded in such attacks.

"There would be no impunity," Baroud stressed.