BEIRUT: The Lebanese Cabinet announced Saturday its draft policy statement promising a “restoration of trust," pending a parliamentary vote of confidence that will be chaired Tuesday by Speaker Nabih Berri.

Ministers representing various political parties endorsed the draft policy statement.

Both President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri attended the session held at the Baabda Presidential Palace.

The policy statement, which was drafted in record time, was dubbed “Restoration of Trust."

The Cabinet lineup was announced Sunday, and a committee was tasked with drafting the policy statement Wednesday.

“The government abides by the Inauguration speech... and distances Lebanon from external conflicts,” the ministerial statement read.

The term “restoration of confidence" reassures everybody, both in Lebanon and abroad, of their strong diplomatic relations with Arab states and the international community, Riachi quoted Aoun as saying.

Relations with GCC countries have deteriorated, particularly with Saudi Arabia, following Hezbollah’s involvement in regional crises.

Nevertheless, with the election of Aoun at the end of October and the assignment of Hariri as premier, tensions were relieved as praise rolled in from GCC countries and international delegations.

The statement also emphasized that the government is seeking to liberate occupied land, citing the right of Lebanese citizens to resistance against the Israeli threat.

Lebanese Forces Ministers, however, had "reservations regarding the right of the Lebanese citizens to resistance...It is an exclusive entitlement to the Lebanese government,” LF Minister Melhem Riachi said as he announced the agreement on the policy statement.

Simultaneously, Parliament Speaker called for a vote of confidence session on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.

Berri will chair the morning and evening sessions Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the coming week.

Work will be underway for an electoral law and the necessary measures to ensure that elections are held as scheduled, President Aoun said during the session.

Hariri echoed Aoun’s calls, expressing hope that the Cabinet would be approved before the New Year to start “attending to public affairs.”

The statement added that the 2017 budget would be ratified.

Legislation to facilitate new economic projects is also expected.

Regarding the anticipated parliamentary elections, the policy statement enlisted a gender quota to ensure proper representation of women in the Parliament.

The exact percentage of women representation would be discussed, Riachi said.

Free Patriotic chief Gebran Bassil Thursday objected granting a quota to women. However, he promised to reach a compromise to ensure women's active role in the Parliament.

The Lebanese government includes only one female minister, while the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs is a man.

Though the word “proportional” was not mentioned, the proportional electoral law will be discussed among MPs as they draft the new legislation, Riachi said.

Political parties have conflicting demands over the electoral law to be implemented during the coming 2017 elections.

Several parties have proposed a hybrid law blending winner-takes-all and proportional voting.

Future, Progressive Socialist Party, LF and Amal Movement have proposed separate hybrid formulas with electoral constituencies of differing sizes.

Hezbollah and FPM have been lobbying for a proportional law with Lebanon as a single constituency.

However, Bassil Thursday lashed out at the proposed laws that lacked uniformed standards of dividing electoral constituencies.

He asked for the adoption of a sectarian-based 2011 law known as the Orthodox Gathering Law.

It was initially presented by the March 8 alliance and the March 14 Christian parties.

MP Elie Firzli, who drafted the law, Sunday denounced claims that it had aggravated sectarian tensions.

“Orthodox Law is not sectarian; it ensures the proper representation of all Lebanese, especially Christians,” Firzli said in a talk show on the local channel MTV.

Hezbollah and FPM firmly reject the return to the 1960 electoral system.

Parliamentary elections are set to take place in May 2017. Parliament has extended its own mandate twice, citing security concerns. The last elections took place in 2009.