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.
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman
stressed that he cannot accept any mandate extension, categorically denying statements
of sources who said that the French officials suggested an extension for the
Parliament and the President’s mandates, if the parliamentary elections fail to
be held according to the constitutional schedule.
Sleiman told
al-Joumhouria Daily
that the work is ongoing and efforts are being deployed in order to hold the elections in
time.
“From my part, I will do my best to
make sure the parliamentary elections will be held on time, whether according
to the 60s law or another law. I suggest the proportionality law, and in case
the other parties do not agree, I will take back my proposal and support the law
which reaches consensus. However, I see that proportionality ensures fair
representation on the political scene and opens the door for the competition
between different projects,” Sleiman added.
On the other hand, Sleiman stressed
that he will not take back his call for the dialogue, ruling out any
alternative for the national talks.
- Lebanese awakening: ambassadors must commit to the norms
An official source revealed, in a statement to
As-Safir Newspaper, that
President Michel Sleiman made an unprecedented intervention when a debate
arose between ministers regarding the letter sent by the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon
Ali Abdel Karim Ali to Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour, through the
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour. Sleiman said that it is unacceptable that
any ambassador, no matter to which state he belongs, launche accusations
against any side through an official Lebanese party.
According to the source, Sleiman noted that when an
ambassador places Lebanon’s sovereignty at risk and enters in a confrontation
with its leaderships or political and non-political officials, in such a case,
the Foreign Minister must reply according to the law and international
agreements.
Sleiman stressed that these laws and conventions define the
principles based on which the ambassadors must work, as they must take the
authorization of the foreign ministry before engaging in any activity.
In this context, ministerial sources praised the stance of
the President, noting that legal action should be taken against any Lebanese official
who receives a diplomat in an unconventional manner.
- Bassil: Granting
authorization for oil and gas exploration is a “big achievement”
Energy Minister Gebran
Bassil told
As-Safir Daily that the cabinet’s approval to grant authorization
for oil and gas exploration is a “big achievement” that benefits all the
Lebanese, stressing the need to deal with this matter with national responsibility.
“We are now in the stage of
paperwork,” Bassil said, pointing that the implementation in the sea will take
place after one year, while the oil and gas will appear after another year. He
pointed that encouraging things keep on showing, stating that few years from now;
there will be oil and gas in Lebanon.
Well-informed sources told
Al-Liwaa Newspaper that negotiations are ongoing away from the media spotlight regarding a
neutral transitional government formed by technocrats who represent all
parties, to rule the country
during the period of the elections which will result in a new parliament and a
new cabinet.
The sources added that these
discussions are taking place within a plan to reach a new electoral law before
next March.