Press Digest for Thursday April 19, 2012

• Sleiman: Those rejecting proportionality will soon support it

President Michel Suleiman told As-Safir newspaper on Thursday that the parties rejecting proportional representation in the parliamentary elections will eventually support it.

“Those publically standing against proportionality today will support it in the future,” Suleiman told the newspaper in reference to the head of Future Party former PM Saad Hariri and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblatt.

Suleiman revealed that he discussed with Berri different options that would lead to the formation of a non-sectarian parliament, which preserves equal shares of power, and would ultimately lead to the establishment of a senate as called for by the Taif accord.

Asked about doubts on the Lebanese army’s role, Suleiman said his experience as former military commander and as head of state showed him that the army acts democratically while politicians behave in a dictatorial way.  

• Mikati cancels 15 arrest warrants

Well informed sources told An-Nahar that PM Najib Mikati efforts led to the cancelation of 15 arrest warrant issued by the military tribunal in Beirut after the Arab University incidents in 2007.

The sources added that Mikati’s step will reduce the tensions during the round five of the general discussions session especially that several demonstration were planned if those people were arrested.     

• March 14 blames American Embassy

Sources close to March 14 coalition revealed to al-Akhbar newspaper that the head of the Future Party parliamentarian bloc MP Fouad Seniora and former PM Saad Hariri’s consultant Mohammad Shatah met with diplomats at the American embassy in Beirut to express their discontent regarding the embassy’s relationship with Speaker Nabih Berri and the way they are dealing with the offshore resources issue.

The sources added that the US embassy is dealing with Berri as a reference in that file.    

• Jumblatt: Too early to discuss sectarian political system

The head of the National Struggle Front Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir newspaper that the establishment of a Senate in Lebanon should occur in parallel with the elimination of the current sectarian political system.

“I don’t think this is the right timing to discuss this issue; the sectarian political system would raise tensions if it is discussed”.

Asked about the upcoming elections he said “We have to options available; we either implement serious reforms and cancel the sectarian representation and I believe we don’t have time to do that or we stick to the 1960 electoral law”.