France is keen that the Lebanese parliamentary elections are held as scheduled in June, while lamenting the failure of the political factions to reach an agreement over a new electoral law, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Saturday.
An official French source told the daily: “French President Francois Hollande hopes that the elections will be held on time” and he will relay this message to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and Phalange Party chief Amin Gemayel.
Full StoryProgressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat voiced his openness to the adoption of an electoral draft law that combines the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.
He was reported as saying that he advocates the hybrid law on condition that the process of establishing a senate begin, revealing that he had informed President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati of this position.
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri emphasized the need to “rectify” the situation at the parliamentary subcommittee given the dispute that emerged at the end of its meetings earlier this week, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.
He told the daily that he is “very upset” with the dispute the erupted between Free Patriotic Movement MP Alain Aoun and Mustaqbal bloc MP Ahmed Fatfat.
Full StoryHizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday noted that electoral money can influence the outcome of parliamentary elections more than weapons, denying remarks accusing his party of being behind the electoral law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering, under which each sect would elects its representatives.
“Today, the most important topic in Lebanon is the elections and the electoral law. There is a barrage of insults and self-dissociation from debates is necessary," said Nasrallah in a televised speech marking the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen will hold a hearing on January 30 as part of his duties to ensure preparation for trial, announced the tribunal in a statement on Friday.
The Status Conference, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. (Central European time) will be public.
Full StoryThe man who shot and killed two locals from the Jbeil town of Lassa handed himself over to security forces after the family of the victims had blocked roads in protest against the murder.
Information obtained by al-Jadeed television said that the assailant had handed himself over to the concerned security authorities.
Full StoryNine Islamists were charged on Friday with the murder of a Palestinian inmate at Roumieh Prison, reported the National News Agency.
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr charged eight Islamist inmates with murder and a ninth Islamist who is not held at the jail.
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati discussed with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday the cooperation between Lebanon and international organizations on the Syrian refugees, his press office said.
Miqati met with Ban on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort Davos.
Full StoryUnknown assailants have tossed a hand grenade in the eastern city of Baalbek, meters away from the house of a Hizbullah MP, causing material damage only, the National News Agency reported on Friday.
NNA said the grenade tossed in al-Rifai neighborhood around 3:00 am damaged two vehicles – a Mitsubishi with a Syrian license plate and also a Syrian-plated Hyundai van - parked on the side of the road.
Full StoryFrance is likely to deport Lebanese leftist militant George Abdallah soon after his case became a “burden” but it has warned Lebanese authorities against organizing an official welcoming ceremony for him, pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported on Friday.
The newspaper quoted a high-ranking French source as saying that involved French cabinet ministers intend to approve his deportation soon.
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