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.
The visitors of the President Michel Sleiman quoted the
latter as saying that he is ready to sign any government formation proposal presented by
the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam and which receives the approval of
the majority of the parliamentary blocs, noting that the situation should be prevented from getting further
complicated, especially with the summer season drawing near. Sleiman also hoped
that the next season would be fruitful and revives the Lebanese economy.
The visitors told
an-Nahar Daily that the governmental
formula presented by Tammam Salam and approved by the head of the Progressive
Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt was also approved by the president, hoping
that the formula will be accepted by the rest of the parties.
Al-Akhbar Newspaper
reported that no serious signs indicate that an agreement will be reached over a
new electoral law, noting that the doors may be open again for candidates to
submit their candidatures according to the 1960 electoral law.
The daily pointed out that
Speaker Nabih Berri told the conferees at the communications committee meeting
that he will not hold a General Authority session should they fail to reach
consensus over a new electoral draft law. According to the deputies, Berri
hinted that in case they reached a deadlock, the issue of the extension for the
Parliament’s term will be inserted to the agenda of Saturday’s session.
In this context, the
Lebanese Forces party said that it does not mind an extension of three months
maximum, in order for the Interior Ministry to be able to prepare for the
elections; while the Kataeb party did not approve such a solution.
For his part, MP Walid
Jumblatt has not yet declared his final decision regarding the extension, while
sources said that he may approve.
On the other hand, MP
Michel Aoun still reject the extension for the parliament’s term, stressing
that the elections must be held on time.
Sources close to the parliamentary communications committee
told
as-Safir Daily that the remarks presented by the member of the Loyalty to the
Resistance bloc MP Ali Fayyad concern the lack of specific standards for the
division of the electoral districts.
The sources added that these remarks could be taken into
consideration and the draft law could be amended accordingly.
In this context, MPs Ahmad Fatfat and George Adwan were in
charge of responding to the remarks presented on Wednesday, while Adwan threatened
in a press conference “to reveal critical matters in case the Hezbollah and the Free
Patriotic Movement rejected the amended formula of the draft law.”
On the other hand, March 8 sources noted that only three
remarks were taken into consideration, while discussions concerning the
remaining items are still underway.
Al-Akhbar Daily reported that the Christians in Lebanon are
paying once again the price of the war erupting between the Free Patriotic
Movement and the Lebanese Forces, noting that frustration between both parties
renewed as a result of the failure to adopt the Orthodox Gathering electoral
draft law.
The newspaper added that the tension which was raging
between the Sunnis and the Shiites before designating Tammam Salam as a Prime
Minister, was transferred to the Christians who are now facing a struggle
concerning the electoral law.