Press Digest for Wednesday May 08, 2013

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.

• Speaker Berri says Orthodox Gathering's draft law, 1960 law to be put on vote

Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that he will put the Orthodox Gathering's draft law and the 1960's law on vote in case the Lebanese leaders did not agree on a new electoral draft law.

He added that Bishop of Beirut Boulos Matar is exerting efforts to make Lebanese leaders adopt the hybrid draft law.

According to the Daily, Speaker Berri revealed that the Future bloc supports holding further deliberations pertaining to the hybrid draft law.

• Caretaker Minister Charbel: I will not run for parliamentary elections

Caretaker Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the Ministry needs two months at least to prepare for the upcoming parliamentary elections based on the 1960 law and 6 months in case a new electoral draft was ratified.

Caretaker Minister Charbel reiterated that he will not run for the upcoming parliamentary elections, adding that he is not a candidate for the Presidency.

• LF leader Geagea fails to convince MP Aoun with the hybrid law

Sources close to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea denied to Al-Liwaa newspaper on Wednesday rumors saying that the Orthodox Gathering's draft law has reached an impasse.

Sources added that LF leader Geagea informed MPs Saad Hariri and Fouad Siniora about the latest developments pertaining to the contacts held between him and the Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

In this context, LF MP Georges Adwan told the Daily that LF leader Geagea failed to convince MP Michel Aoun to support the hybrid draft law.

• Caretaker Minister Mansour says negotiations with Syrian regime did not start

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Adnan Mansour told Asharq Al Awsat newspaper on Wednesday that negotiations with the Syrian regime to release the Lebanese hostage in Aazaz did not start yet.

He added that there are three sides interfering in the case which is used by the abductors to change their demands each time.

Minister Mansour added that the ministry is exerting all possible efforts to release the Lebanese hostages "as soon as possible."