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.
- Qortbawi: The Islamist detainees' file takes its normal
course
Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi stressed that two groups of Islamist detainees,
representing half of the sum total, have been interrogated so far, adding that
things are taking their normal course.
In this context, Qortbawi told
An-Nahar newspaper that no one can fix a certain
time to finalize the trials since there is a judicial process which requires
evidence, witnesses, lawyers, etc.
"The action of Judges and courts cannot be subject to any kind of
pressure," Qortbawi said.
For his part, Sheikh Nabil Rhim, a member of the detainees' follow up committee,
slammed the sit-in that "drifted away from its course", after many speakers
brought up the Syrian crisis and the political division between March 8 and
March 14.
- Mikati: I will not backtrack... the escalation does guarantee not the employees' demands
Prime Minister Najib Mikati hailed the initiative of the leader of the National Struggle Front
Walid Jumblatt which calls for the adoption of the government's electoral law, adding
that Jumblatt is a key component of the country.
PM Mikati called on all parties to meet him half way to reach a fair electoral
law for all and to hurdle any factious law that could drive the country to the
unknown such as the Orthodox Gathering proposal.
According to
As-Safir newspaper, PM Mikati told his guests that he will not
backtrack one iota from clinging to stability as well as the monetary and
financial balance nor will he abandon the country in the face of escalating struggles.
"The escalation does not have a positive result and does not ensure the
employee's demands but it takes a toll on them," he said.
"We basically call for dialogue and understanding. The government is
keen on the series of ranks and salaries, it is also keen on stability. The
pressure imposed to adopt the series at all costs will not pay off and everyone
should know that we are going through a difficult situation that does not
tolerate hazards," Mikati added.
- Berri supports the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence law, but...
An-Nahar Daily revealed that the
law pertaining to the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence has seen progress in the
parliamentary committees, noting that a Tripoli MP is strongly opposing it and
is seeking to hinder the approval of this project alongside a group of
deputies.
In this context, Speaker Nabih Berri stressed
that, when he received two letters from women who have been abused, he
appointed his media adviser,
Ali Hamdan, to contact the representatives of the committees
tasked with following up on women’s affairs, informing them that the Speaker supports
the aforementioned law despite the remarks placed by the parliamentary
committees.
However, Berri told the daily that he awaits the
session of the general authority at the Parliament to commence voting on this
law, pointing out that “the general authority cannot hold a session under the
current circumstances while the country is busy with the electoral law.”
On the other hand, Berri told
As-Safir Daily that
he “does not appreciate how some parties are dealing with the electoral law, by
undermining the country’s interests for personal benefits.” He added that
sources informed him that his proposal which is based on both systems, the
majoritarian and the proportional, was rejected because it does not ensure for
Fouad Siniora his seat in Sidon, and instead provides a chance for Abdel Rahim Mrad to become a
deputy.
Accordingly, Berri expressed his awe toward
the criticism launched against him by March 14 forces following the approval of
the Orthodox Gathering’s draft law in the joint parliamentary committee, adding
that he was keen on reaching the best solution and welcomed the participation of
the Future Movement. “The vote during the committee’s session was rightful,
since quorum was reached,” he said.
However, Berri stated that the Orthodox law has
been adopted in Lebanon since 1943, but on a geographical level, where each
electoral district was ruled by a certain sect with a small presence of
minorities. “We used to apply the Orthodox law secretly, now it is time to
adopt it publicly,” he added.
Commenting on the security level, Berri called on
everyone to fight against the perpetrators with an iron fist, in order to end
the massive wave of abuse and kidnappings targeting innocent citizens, and to
fully support the army and the security forces.
The leader of the National Struggle Front Walid Jumblatt said that he is
launching deliberations with the Future bloc to reach a common ground in
regards to the electoral law, adding that discussions should rely on the
unstudied draft law submitted by President Michel Sleiman or the proposal of
the Cabinet.
"We should study the draft law and based on which, we introduce amendments
in the interest of March 8 and March 14," Jumblatt added.
In this regard, Jumblatt told
As-Safir daily that he condemned those who said
that he made a U-turn as he embraced the Cabinet's proposal.
"Basically, I did
not refuse the Cabinet's proposal altogether but the mainstreaming of the proportional
system. As for the new draft law, it will be a good starting point to reach
a common ground in order to eliminate tensions and divisions that some
people indulged in. Should we stay divided or try to reach a common
ground?" Jumblatt said.