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.
Following his meeting with the US ambassador to Lebanon Maura
Connelly, the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt told
As-Safir
Daily that "he does not agree with Connelly over the electoral dossier".
In this context, MP Jumblatt said that the situation in
Lebanon is "unstable" at all levels, stressing the need to extend the
parliament's mandate, noting that "the upcoming parliamentary elections cannot be
held while the military institution is being targeted".
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria Newspaper that the Maronite
Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai held a meeting with Change and Reform
bloc leader MP Michel Aoun whereby he reprimanded the latter for agreeing with
him, during the meeting held on the 3rd of April, over a consensual law based
on the proposal of Speaker Nabih Berri, and then backtracking on his decision.
Cardinal Rai also admonished MP Aoun for refusing to hold
negotiations with the Lebanese Forces party over the consensual law [referring to
the hybrid draft law], noting that the LF party is exerting efforts in order to
support the apt representation of Christians, national charter, national unity
and the rights of all the Lebanese people.
Sources told
Al-Joumhouria
Daily that the meeting held between Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel
Aoun, Caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and the political adviser to
Hezbollah Secretary General, Hussein Khalil, did not pay off.
In this regard, MP Aoun was reportedly adamant on the extension of the
parliament's mandate for technical reasons and for a short period of time,
preferring to hold the parliamentary elections on their due date since "it
falls in his party's interests".
For their part, Ali Hassan Khalil and Hussein Khalil explained to
MP Aoun the reasons behind the extension, noting that the country is witnessing
a dire security situation, adding that "the extension falls in the interest of
the country and all Lebanese people".
Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel
told al-Liwaa Newspaper that the ministry is braced for
holding the parliamentary elections on the 16th of June, adding that tireless
efforts are being exerted in this regard.
Charbel also
pointed out that "the parliamentary elections should be held on their due date
based on the 1960 electoral law which remains in effect," unless all Lebanese
parties agree on deferring the elections.