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.
Visitors of Lebanese Forces Chief Samir
Geagea quoted him as saying that the points of disagreement among March 14 are
limited to the electoral law, adding “the determination to find a law which
guarantees just representation is among March 14's principles and
contributes in achieving the aspired stability.”
Via
An-Nahar Daily, Geagea called on those
who are attacking the Orthodox Gathering’s law "to light a small candle instead".
On another note, Geagea voiced his regret
towards the crime that occurred in Wata al-Jawz, describing the decision of
Anthony Khalil to turn himself in as “courageous and wise.”
Geagea called on the concerned parties to follow
in the footsteps of the Khalil family and hand the wanted persons over to the
state, from the killers of late Rafik Hariri to Mahmoud al-Hayek, who is listed among the suspects behind the attempt to assassinate MP Boutros Harb.
Syrian
President Bashar Assad told
Al-Akhbar Daily on Monday that the Syrian army has regained
the lead on the ground, pointing out that armed groups funded from abroad
received harsh blows during the last period.
Visitors of
Assad quoted him as saying that the U.S. is not ready for a solution at the
time being. “He believes that Russia will continue to support him; in fact, it
is defending itself, and not the Syrian regime,” he said stressing his attachment
to all the items of the Geneva agreement.
According
to his visitors, Assad said that the Syrian army banned gunmen from controlling
entire provinces; therefore they remained in some regions located along the
border with Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, in addition to some areas in Damascus
Reef. He reportedly added that Damascus and its strategic points remained secure
despite all the attacks carried out by gunmen.
"The
Yarmouk camp has a symbolic meaning that prompted the Syrian command not to
take a decision to counter gunmen who controlled parts of it," he said adding that Palestinian
factions suggested some solutions to solve the Yarmouk camp dilemma. "These
suggestions were approved by official Syrian authorities."
- Chamoun: Aoun endorsed Orthodox Gathering’s
proposal because he is unbalanced
National Liberal Party leader
MP Dori
Chamoun said Monday that the Orthodox Gathering’s proposed law aims at abolishing
the Taif agreement, as a prelude to abolish parity.
“Change and Reform bloc
leader MP Michel Aoun endorsed the Orthodox Gathering’s draft law because he is
unbalanced; he is threatening the rights of Christians and harming everyone,”
he said.
Chamoun told
Al-Liwaa
Daily that the Kataeb party and the Lebanese Forces made a mistake by not engaging
in dialogue with their allies when they adopted the Orthodox Gathering’s law.
“We have the right to say that this law is illegitimate and unconstitutional,” he
said.
Chamoun said that
elections must be held according to the 1960s electoral law and in line with the
constitution "if the different parties do not agree on a new law."
Al-Akhbar Daily reported on Monday that former Akkar MP
Issam Fares is following up on the discussions over the electoral law to decide
whether to return to Lebanon or not.
According to sources close to Fares, he believes that the
division of the Akkar province which includes around 230,000 voters into two
electoral districts or more, like the rest of the provinces, would be the best
solution.
According to him, the first electoral district would include the regions
of al-Kaytaa and al-Sahel and would be represented by two Sunni MPs and one Alawi MP while
the second district would include al-Cheft, al-Jouma, al-Doreib and Wadi Khaled and
would be represented by two Orthodox MPs, a Maronite MP and two Sunni MPs.
“Geographical
and demographic standards will facilitate the establishment of these 2 districts,”
he said.
Well-informed sources told
Al-Joumhouria Daily on Monday that
President Michel Sleiman reproached PM Najib Mikati for his stance on civil
marriage during their meeting on Saturday. He voiced his surprise at Mikati’s
response to the stance he shared on Twitter regarding civil marriage.
“It would have been better for him to wait and consult with me before responding; I only took a preliminary stance and I did not take
any step that requires a response,” Sleiman said, adding that he was ready to
discuss this issue on the sidelines of the agenda during any cabinet session; “which
did not happen.”