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.
Sources close to the Future Movement revealed to
al-Akhbar Newspaper that
the head of the Future bloc Fouad Siniora informed Speaker Nabih Berri of the
movement’s position rejecting the Orthodox gathering’s draft law, noting that during their
discussions, they reviewed all the elections that took place in Lebanon after the
Taef Accord, stressing the need to reach a law that fairly represents
the Christians and the Druze.
However, the sources stressed that the Future Movement did not give Berri
any electoral commitment regarding the electoral law, noting that Berri is still
searching for a formula that comprises the majoritarian and the proportional systems.
- Ahmad Karami: Tripoli’s continuous troubles are messages to Mikati
Minister Ahmad Karami said that the disputes continuously taking place in
the northern city of Tripoli are messages sent to PM Najib Mikati, adding that “they
wrong him and falsely accuse him while the man loves his nation and sacrifices
for the benefit of his hometown Tripoli.”
In a statement to
al-Joumhouria Daily, Karami described Friday’s incident
that targeted Minister Faisal Karami as temporary, noting that he supports the
call to make Tripoli an arms-free zone.
Founder of the Salafist movement Sheikh Dai al-Islam al-Shahhal said that the accident which targeted the convoy of
Minister Faisal Karami resulted from a state of security chaos prevailing over
Tripoli.
In a statement to
an-Nahar Daily,
Shahhal accused politicians and security officials of managing armed groups to
prepare “time bombs” and detonate them whenever needed, and also accused
Lebanese and foreign security apparatuses of targeting the Sunnis in general and
Tripoli in particular by aiming at its residents.
Sources revealed to
al-Liwaa Newspaper that the cabinet will be discussing
during its session scheduled for Tuesday at the Grand Serail, an agenda of 39
items, including a proposal presented by the Energy Minister Gebran Bassil
regarding the reduction of the hours of power supply in the city of Beirut.
This step aims at making Beirut even with the surrounding regions, and
redistributing power according to the rates of waste and bill collection.
Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt
stressed the need to reach a consensus among all parties regarding the means of
implementing an agreement in a way that ends the civil war and preserve the
Syrian State, noting that he will transfer the results of his discussions with
the Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov to the international peace envoy
Lakhdar Ibrahimi and the Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi.
Commenting on the issue of the Syrian refugees, Jumblatt
told
al-Hayat Daily that this case was tackled during the discussions, noting
that Russia will attend Kuwait’s conference where he hopes that it will make an
important financial contribution to reduce the refugees’ suffering.
On the electoral law, Jumblatt expressed his reservations
over presenting a draft law, adding that “national dialogue is a must; and any
draft laws placed here and there will not make any difference.”
However, MP Jumblatt stressed that he is against withdrawal
from the cabinet, pointing out that his first concern in Lebanon’s stability.
Minister of Youth and Sports Faisal Karami said
that the attack that targeted his convoy on Friday was neither premeditated nor
intentional, noting however that the assailants knew that the convoy was his
but the providence saved him and the people around him, and prevented the city
of Tripoli from falling into strife.
In a statement to
al-Akhbar Daily, Karami said that he will not make any reaction, noting that he
will leave the case between the hands of the judiciary.
“We live in this city
with our family, we do not have any interest if it was not secure and stable,
even if it was at our expense,” he added.