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.
Future
Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said that the parliament's Communications Committee failed
in achieving its goal since each party rejected the electoral draft that
ensures the majority of deputies to the other party.
Fatfat
told
Al-Liwaa newspaper that "the hybrid draft law presented by the progressive
Socialist Party, the Lebanese Forces, and the Future Bloc is based on
constructive ambiguity", adding that the Future Bloc is calling for a General
Authority session on proposed drafts.
“The
hybrid law will garner the majority of votes,” Fatfat said.
Regarding
the extension of the parliament’s mandate, MP Fatfat said that this extension
will be technical for 6 months, or on the basis of political consensus, or the parliament’s
mandate will be extended without reaching consensus.
Fatfat
concluded by saying that the Future Bloc will be boycotting the upcoming
parliamentary elections if its allies rejected going through these elections on
the basis of the 1960 law.
Sources close to Prime
Minister-Designate Tammam Salam said that the latter “is still waiting an agreement
regarding the electoral law and the upcoming parliamentary elections to declare
his position pertaining to the formation of the cabinet,” adding that the “MP Salam
has several formulas; however, he is waiting for the right time to make his
decision”.
The sources told
As-Safir newspaper
that PM-Designate Salam will not refrain from the task of forming the new
cabinet and mentioned that efforts are being exerted to form a cabinet
capable of dealing with the current situation in Lebanon.
The sources expected that the issue
of the cabinet will be resolved by the end of this month since officials have
to adhere to legal deadlines in regards to the formation of the cabinet,
extending the parliament’s mandate, or holding the elections of the basis of
the 1960 law.
- Berri
expresses his support to the extension of the parliament’s mandate
House Speaker Nabih Berri said that
he will be exerting efforts to hold and “Islamic-Islamic dialogue table” that
includes members from the Amal Movement, Hezbollah, and others from the Future
Movement to face the strife attempts and their repercussions which are
affecting Lebanon’s civil peace.
Berri told
As-Safir newspaper that
he will be contacting the leadership of Hezbollah as well as Former Prime
Minister Saad Hariri in order to create an atmosphere for this dialogue since
it became necessary and urgent at this stage.
On another note, Berri said that he
will be calling for a General Authority session before the 31st of
May since political void is not acceptable, adding that he is discussing the
possibility of extending the parliament’s mandate with all factions.
In this regard, Berri said that he
supports extending the parliament’s mandate for more than 6 months since the current
security situation may not see an improvement any time soon, adding that there is
no agreement regarding the electoral law.
“Holding the elections on the basis
of the 1960 electoral law will technically lead towards extending the
parliament’s mandate for 4 years,” Berri said.
A Russian official expressed his
country’s concern regarding the latest statements made by the Secretary General
of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, adding that Russia rejects any foreign
intervention in the Syrian crisis since it is aware of the seriousness of the
situation.
The official told
Al-Joumhouria
newspaper that the intervention of some Lebanese parties in the Syrian crisis
by arming the opposition or helping foreign fighter to cross the Lebanese-Syrian
borders were behind Hezbollah’s direct interference.
“This incident was expected since
Lebanese factions do not have a common position regarding the Syrian situation,”
the official concluded.
- Charbel: Members of the electoral supervisory committee will be nominated today
Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan
Charbel told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that the Ministry will suggest during
Monday’s cabinet session 30 names to choose 10 as members for the
electoral supervisory committee.
In turn, ministerial sources told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that forming the electoral supervisory committee does
not necessitate holding the elections since political factions are still
discussing the extension of the parliament’s mandate.