Press Digest for Wednesday April 04, 2012

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.   

• New tenancy law: Old tenants thrown out into the street  

As-Safir daily reported on Wednesday that the new tenancy law heralds a serious social crisis amid the exacerbating economic and financial burdens placed on the shoulders of the majority of the Lebanese. 

The daily added that, according to the new tabled mechanism of the relevant law, a gradual and cumulative increase will be added annually to each rental fees and for a period of six years. In the event that the tenant fails to pay the due fees, the owner has the right to compel him to permanently leave his residence.    

The daily learnt that committees concerned with renters’ rights will hold a meeting on Wednesday afternoon to explore possible ways to face the relevant draft law amid a tendency to escalate protests and step up pressure on the parliament to block its passing. It was reported that among the tabled escalatory measures will be staging protests and installing tents in the Hamra Street.   

In this context, parliamentary sources reported that the draft law which is currently being studied by the Committee of Administration and Justice would throw many old tenants out into the streets.                               

• Tuesday meeting discusses reality on the ground of Jal el-Dib Bridge         

An-Nahar daily reported that a meeting was held at the office of MP Michel Murr in el-Amara on Tuesday night, attended by Deputy PM Samir Mokbel and a number of mayors.     

The meeting discussed the developments and reality on the ground of the Jal el-Dib Bridge.   

The mayors confirmed their adherence to the plan on which they had agreed upon during a previous similar meeting while Mokbel vowed to submit a report to the cabinet.        

• Karam: I will be the first to defend my country against Israeli aggression        

Retired Gen. Fayez Karam reiterated his commitment to resistance and to the FPM’s policies and alliances.     

In a speech to An-Nahar, Karam hoped that the Israeli aggression against Lebanon will not be repeated again, confirming that he will be the first to defend his country against the Israeli enemy in case of any aggression.   

 “Being today among my relatives and friends is such a [happy occasion] for me; these people have never lost faith in me because they know me very well”, he said, adding that he will later make statements on the circumstances of his arrest.       

• Jumblatt warns of pulling out ministers if proportionality adopted     

MP Walid Jumblatt’s visitors quoted him as describing the sessions of discussions as “an unneeded incomplete step made by Speaker Nabih Berri”, adding that the step “weakens the cabinet instead of fortifying it and boosting solidarity among its components,”  

Al-Liwaa reported that Jumblatt told PM Najib Mikati through a special envoy that in the event that the issue of proportional representation is tabled and adopted by cabinet, he will immediately pull out his ministers.