Introduction to the evening news 22-04-2012

In an hour from now, the results of the first round of the French presidential elections are set to be revealed at a time when all polls show that these elections will end in a second round expected to be held on May 6th pitting two candidates, current president Nicolas Sarkozy and front-runner socialist candidate Francois Hollande, in a final struggle for the top office.         

On Syria, it seems that U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan started to raise his rhetoric; he issued a statement today where he urged Syria to stop, once and for all, the use of heavy weapons. Meanwhile, news agencies reported the death of around 30 people across Syria, including three in Homs, despite the presence of observers.          

Locally, the “break” is still in effect after the hustle of the parliamentary discussion sessions. As for Wednesday's cabinet session agenda, it is expected to include the parliamentary elections draft law as a main item, alongside 61 other items. This development coincided with House Speaker Nabih Berri presenting an electoral proposal based on proportionality.