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.
LF MP Georges Adwan said that establishing a
senate may only occur after the Parliamentary elections on the basis of a new
law that well represents all factions and stressed that the Lebanese Forces are
open to discuss alternatives for the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft
although the majority agreed on it.
Adwan added to
An-Nahar newspaper that countries
concerned about the Lebanese situation informed all parties that there is no
justification for not holding the elections on due time and stressed that the
responsibility of ratifying an electoral law is purely Lebanese and no country
will interfere in this issue.
- MP Jumblatt
proposes new ideas for an electoral draft
Parliamentary
sources in the Future Movement told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that March14 forces are
holding meetings in order to fix the gaps pertaining to the electoral law.
The sources mentioned that the Head of the
Future Bloc Fouad Siniora is working hard in order to ratify an electoral law
that keeps him in power to control the political decision and added that the
Orthodox Gathering electoral draft may not be referred to the General Authority
since it will lead to an inevitable division among deputies.
The same
sources added that the Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt is
proposing various ideas that pave the way for a new electoral draft based on
the majoritarian system with a slight representation of the law of
proportionality.
- Preparations
for commemorating late PM
Hariri’s death are underway
Al-Akhbar
newspaper said on Saturday that March14 forces started seeking new ideas for
the occasion of February 14 and added that all forces have to work together in
order to prepare for it and deal with it in a serious way.
Sources to
Al-Akhbar Daily said that Former PM
Saad Hariri will be appearing next Thursday on LBCI during
Kalam Ennas to
discuss preparations for this occasion.
Head of the Marada Party MP
Sleiamn Franjieh expressed to
Al-Akhbar newspaper his adherence to the Orthodox
gathering electoral draft and added that during the Bkerke meeting he called
for abiding this draft on the condition of agreeing on another draft law, but
the LF Chief Samir Geagea refused his proposal.
“What is obvious is that the
election will not be held on the basis of the 1960’s electoral law,” Franjieh
said.
Franjieh added that mixing between the
majoritarian system and the law of proportionality does not lead to consensus and
pointed out that postponing the elections is based on the Lebanese condition
during that time.
MP Franjieh stressed that he
is against extending the mandate of President Sleiman and called electing a new
Maronite President.
“I am against extending
President Sleiman’s mandate even if it were for one day,” Franjieh added.
“Rejecting the Orthodox
Gathering electoral draft by President Sleiman was not justified,” he said
stressing that the President is supporting another political draft and not
another electoral draft.
MP Ahmad Fatfat said to
Al-Joumhouria
newspaper on Saturday that Hezbollah calling for the law of proportionality is
a means to take control over the Lebanese security.
Fatfat reiterated the Future Bloc’s stance
regarding the law of proportionality and added that they are open to discuss a
law that mixes between the majoritarian system and the law of proportionality.