Press Digest for Tuesday April 16, 2013

                                         
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.

• PM designate Salam to resign if government is not formed                            

Sources close to Prime Minister designate Tammam Salam revealed to As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday that he vowed to form the new government in the few coming days.     

Sources quoted PM designate Salam as saying that he will resign in case he was not able to form  the new government.                                    

According to the Daily, President Michel Sleiman asked from the PM-Designate to form a government that harbors a political cover from all Lebanese factions.                          

• Caretaker Minister Bassil : Drafting the electoral law is a top priority                   

Caretaker Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil asserted to Al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday that the Free Patriotic Movement is adamant on forming a government which represents all Lebanese political factions.    
                      
According to the Daily, Caretaker Minister Bassil said that the meeting with PM designate Salam was positive, asserting that the March 8 alliance did not discuss  with him the names or the form of the new government.                   

He added that the top priority must be the drafting of a new electoral law to carry out the elections on their due time, reiterating his support to the Orthodox Gathering's draft law.                   

• MP Fatfat: All parties must suggest new electoral draft laws                                      

Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said to Al Mustaqbal newspaper on Tuesday that all Lebanese political factions must submit their suggestions to reach a consensual electoral law.                      

MP Fatfat urged Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement to submit their suggestion in the session of the Parliamentary Communications Commission set to be hold on Tuesday.                            

• MP Boutros Harb: Some parties are hindering the government's formation                 

MP Boutros Harb said to Al Mustaqbal newspaper on Tuesday that he doesn't expect the formation of the new government before reaching a new electoral law.                            

According to the Daily, MP Harb revealed that some Lebanese parties are hindering the formation of the new government.