Introduction to the evening news 22-01-2013

History repeats itself.

Back in 1998, Late President Elias El Hraoui referred a draft law legalizing civil marriage in Lebanon to the cabinet. Hraoui succeeded then to ensure the vote of the majority of the ministers. However, late PM Rafic Hariri did not refer the law to the parliament for ratification and the law was swept to the sidelines ever since.

Today, and after a courageous couple signed a civil marriage contract in Lebanon, President Michel Sleiman voiced firm stances, calling for the legalization of civil marriage. In contrast, PM Najib Mikati refused to include the civil marriage draft law on the cabinet's agenda, stressing that it's better not to tackle this subject during this critical phase.

While sectarianism still reigns in Lebanon with electoral law proposals that encourage and promote fanaticism, the prime minister denied the right of the Lebanese to hold civil marriages and have their personal status separated from their confessions.

A question is therefore raised: Why are they attacking the Orthodox Gathering proposal when the majority seem to support sectarian laws?


All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin.