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.
Following the electoral proposal
presented by Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat, March8 sources said that the
positive stances of the Kataeb party and the Lebanese Forces show that the 2
blocs are trying to avoid a dilemma with the Future Bloc.
In this context, March8 sources said
that the Future Bloc aims by this proposal at ensuring 60 deputies for March14,
57 deputies for March8 and 11 deputies for the centrist bloc.
Describing the Future's electoral
proposal, March8 told
al-Akhbar newspaper that this electoral draft is
imbalanced since it does not provide appropriate representation to the
Christians and it includes technical problems in terms of calculating the rates
of proportional seats.
Speaker Nabih Berri told
al-Joumhouria newspaper that he is adherent to the hybrid law which stipulates
the election of 64 deputies on the basis of the majoritarian system and 64
others on the basis of the law of proportionality and added that deputies will
have to get back to the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft if they do not
agree upon the hybrid law.
Berri considered that suggesting a
hybrid formula is the result of deliberate standards and added
that this formula ensures 51 to 53 deputies for the Christians.
The Speaker stressed that he is
still questioning the intentions of some parties in reaching an agreement over an electoral law,
but stressed in turn that other parties are working positively to reach a
solution.
As-Safir newspaper said on Wednesday
that the electoral draft that LF MP Georges Adwan will present today at the
parliamentary subcommittee stipulates the election of 61 deputies on the basis
of the law of proportionality and 67 others on the basis of the majoritarian
system.
The newspaper added that MP Adwan
will call for dividing the Mount Lebanon's province into two electoral districts.
Prime
Minister Najib Mikati said that he realizes the suffering of the people as a
result of the economic and social situations and added that the cabinet is
working on resolving all the accumulated files
and will soon approve the pay scale for the public sector.
Mikati told
An-Nahar newspaper that the demands of the
people are "too many", while the potentials of the state are limited.
Mikati added that
the people's demands are righteous and mentioned that the political stances of
some parties regarding the cabinet are only "internal political
bids".
"What is important is that the cabinet seek serious
proposals for funding the series of ranks and salaries," Mikati said.
An-Nahar newspaper said on Wednesday that the Kataeb MP Sami
Gemayel went through the details of the electoral proposal presented by the
Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat and asked about various points in this draft
especially those pertaining to Christian representation.
An-Nahar added that MP Gemayel stopped at the point that
calls for dividing Mount Lebanon into two electoral districts and especially in
terms of including Metn to Baabda, Kesrouan and Jbeil.