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.
Ministerial sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday that the
intention to approve the series of ranks and salaries has now become available
adding that there is a possibility to postpone this issue until another cabinet
session, to be held on Tuesday.
The sources added that the solution presented by Prime Minister Najib Mikati
is possible and the Free Patriotic Movement, that previously refused some
technical details, is expected to agree on it.
Sources added to the newspaper that PM Mikati presented major and essential
amendments to the pay scale in a way that makes it agreeable to all factions.
Other sources told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the supreme council
of civil planning will finalize today the draft law to promote sustainable
building which aims at easing the burden of construction on the environment.
In this context,
Al-Joumhouria said that preliminary estimates show that the
revenues of such a project would amount to approximately US $800 Million annually; a sufficient
amount to provide the sources of the pay scale upon the plans of its
installment for the 6 coming years.
Speaker Nabih Berri said that the joint parliamentary committees will first
be discussing during their meeting the report of the parliamentary subcommittee,
and will then discuss the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft since the
subcommittee did not agree upon a hybrid law during its last session.
Talking to
An-Nahar newspaper, Speaker Berri said that the cabinet will
definitely be present during the meetings of the joint committees as to
not constitute a violation to the constitution and added that the electoral
draft presented by the Development and Liberation Bloc MP Ali Bazzi aims at
finding the middle ground in regards to the hybrid law.
"It is still possible to hold the elections on due time if an electoral
law is agreed upon," Speaker Berri said.
MP Ammar Houri said that the Future Bloc
will participate in the meetings of the joint committees despite the presence
of the cabinet in order to prevent further constitutional violations.
"Discussions pertaining to the
electoral law have reached a serious stage and our national responsibility requires
from us to withdraw from our plans," Houri said.
In this context, MP Houri told
As-Safir
newspaper that the Future Bloc had previously said that it will participate in
the meetings of the joint committee if electoral discussions reach a serious
stage since "the fate of the country is more important than boycotting the
cabinet".
March14 General Secretary Fares Soueid said that Hezbollah's interference in
the Syrian crisis has become clear, adding that "it is no longer acceptable to continue ignoring such an issue that it reflecting negatively on the state of Lebanon's internal security."
Soueid told
Al-Joumhouria newspaper that Hezbollah's actions violate the
self-distancing policy adopted by the cabinet as well as Arab and International
authorities adding that these actions are incompatible with the future of the
Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Al-Akhbar newspaper said on Monday that MP
Michel Aoun's visitors quoted him as saying that an alliance with Former
Minister Ziad Baroud is ruled out due to the latter's coalition with the Head
of the Lebanese Industrialists Association Nehmat Frem.
In this context, Aoun's visitors also quoted
him as saying that the electoral battle with Frem is inevitable.
Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas said that
the issue of the pay scale has almost reached its end pointing out that the
cabinet will study the proposals of Ministers Ghazi Aridi and Mohammad Safadi.
In this context, Nahhas told
Al-Akhbar
newspaper that increasing investments will be a key source to fund the pay
scale.
Nahhas added that the pay scale will immediately
be referred to the parliament if political forces during the session agree on
funding sources.