Press Digest for Saturday May 18, 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.

• Bishop Mazloum: No meeting for Christian leaders to be soon held

Maronite Bishop Samir Mazloum asserted to Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday that Christians leaders will not soon meet at Bkerke.

Bishop Mazloum added that such meeting will be held "when appropriate", noting that the Maronite Patriarchate held contacts with all Christian leaders to urge them to reach common ground over a new electoral draft law.

According to the Daily, Bishop Mazloum called on the Christian leaders to ease down their provocative rhetoric and bear responsibility in protecting the country.

• Caretaker PM Mikati to meet with PM-Designate Salam at Saudi envoy's residence

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Saturday that a meeting between Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam, former PMs Salim el-Hoss, Fouad Siniroa and Omar Karami will be held next Friday at the residence of Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri.
 

• March 14 alliance adamant on adopting hybrid draft law

Parliamentary sources asserted on Saturday to Al-Liwaa newspaper that March 14 alliance is refusing any electoral draft laws other than the hybrid draft law.

Sources added that March 8 alliance is expressing discontent over March 14 alliance undermining their reservations over the hybrid draft law.

In this context, Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday that the Future bloc categorically refuses the Orthodox Gathering draft law and the 1960 electoral law.

• Parliamentary Communications Committee to tackle Speaker Berri's proposal

Parliamentary sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday that the Parliamentary Communications Committee will not reach common ground over the draft law submitted by the Progressive Socialist Party and the Lebanese Forces in Saturday's session.

Same sources added that Speaker Berri's proposal will be also discussed, noting that Speaker Berri will not call for a General Authority session unless consensus is reached over the pending issues.