Press Digest for Sunday May 05, 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.

• Chehayyeb: Other parties are hindering the formation of a new cabinet                   

National Struggle Front MP Akram Chehayyeb told An-Nahar newspaper that other parties are impeding the process of forming the new cabinet as well as reaching a new electoral law.           

Chehayyeb added that the Free Patriotic Movement along with Hezbollah are adherent to the Orthodox Gathering electoral law since they want to remove from the electoral equation the Christian centrist votes.             

• Geagea meets with Former MP Ferzli

An-Nahar newspaper said on Sunday that the Head of the Change and Reform Bloc MP Michel Aoun took the initiative two days ago and contacted the Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea stressing on the importance of reaching an electoral law and the necessity of holding a General Authority session before the 15th of May.           

In turn, Geagea highlighted the importance of reaching a consensual electoral law adding that the Lebanese Forces and the Future Bloc are exerting efforts to find common grounds regarding the hybrid law.               

In the details, MP Aoun asked Geagea to meet with Former MP Elie Ferzli and discuss with him the hybrid law. Sources added to An-Nahar newspaper that Former MP Ferzli met with Geagea who reiterated his support to a consensual electoral law.             

• MP Hajjar: Hezbollah wants to cover its involvement in the Syrian crisis 

      
Future Bloc MP Mohammad Hajjar said that March 8’s talks pertaining to the formation of a new cabinet and reaching a new electoral law within 2 weeks are not accurate since Hezbollah is setting preconditions.               

MP Hajjar told As-Seyassah newspaper that Hezbollah is seeking the ratification of an electoral law that gives it the chance to dominate over the parliament and consequently over the cabinet to cover its involvement in the Syrian crisis.                

• Qanso: We are keen on facilitating MP Salam’s task  

     
Caretaker State Minister Ali Qanso told An-Nahar Daily that March 8 forces want to have a representation in the cabinet equivalent to their representation at the parliament.
        
“We are keen on facilitating the task of Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam, and we will stay in contact with the latter until the formation of a new cabinet,” he concluded.