Introduction to the evening news 21-02-2013

Under the pretext of the compelling political conditions, the government allowed itself to do whatever it wants; from open-ended strikes to death outside hospitals doors to kidnapping trade all the way to the Orthodox Gathering draft law.

During 9 months, seventeen people were kidnapped in exchange for a ransom, the last one being Mohammad Awada whose fate remains unknown.               

The same government which refused the comprehensive health coverage draft law is now lamenting the death of 2-year-old baby Momen al-Mohammad. The same government which approved the ranks and salaries scale is now dodging to ensure funding sources.             

As for the electoral law which is supposed to be one of the government's achievements, it turned into an Orthodox Law described today by the Independent Christian leaders today as a law leading to the country’s division.            

Elections were the main topic of discussion today, most importantly in Baabda between President Michel Sleiman and Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai. In Bkerke, similar talks were held between the Patriarch, the head of Change and Reform bloc Michel Aoun, Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel, MPs Sleiman Frangieh, Georges Adwan, Alain Aoun and former minister Youssef Saadeh.           

The country seems to have engaged in disputes between the Free Syrian Army and Hezbollah in light of Lebanese chaos and Syrian explosions, the latest being the car bomb which rocked Damascus, leaving dozens dead and injured.

All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin

To watch the full INTRO, please click on the video above