The Lebanese Forces hailed Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's position after he back-pedaled from adherence to a proportional representation system which the LF described as a “positive” step, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

“Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah reconsidered his adherence to full proportional representation system which paves way for an agreement on a new electoral law,” LF sources told the daily on condition of anonymity.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat emphasized that he strongly rejects a cabinet vote on an electoral law and the “sectarian” qualification law format, asserting that Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was right when he said that the country is on the verge of an abyss, ad-Diyar daily reported on Thursday.

Asked about a cabinet vote on an electoral law, Jumblat told the daily in an interview: “We have foiled an option on voting through an intercepting plan. Sayyed Nasrallah has asserted that the election law is very sensitive and can only be solved through consensus.

Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated on Wednesday that an extension of the parliament's term is “absolutely impossible.”

Addressing lawmakers during his Wednesday meeting with deputies in Ain el-Tineh, he said: “Rest assured, I speak on behalf of the council. A parliament mandate extension is absolutely inconceivable.

President Michel Aoun pointed out to the negative implications as the result of refugees influx into Lebanon, media reports said on Wednesday.

Aoun drew before his visitors to the negative repercussions of the number of displaced people in Lebanon and stressed that Lebanon wants a political solution to the Syrian crisis, said the reports.

The Lebanese army arrested a number of wanted fugitives on Wednesday during raids it staged in the northeast Lebanon town of Hermel, the National News Agency reported.

The Airborne Regiment and elements of the Army Directorate of Intelligence staged the raids early Wednesday and arrested a number of fugitives some of whom were identified by their initials as N.H and M.H, NNA said.

On the eve of a cabinet meeting set to discuss a draft electoral bill for Lebanon's parliamentary elections, things seem to be worsening in light of the absence of initiatives and deliberations between political parties mainly between the two Shiite parties (AMAL and Hizbullah) and the Free Patriotic Movement, al-Joumhouria daily reported Wednesday.

The latest effort made in that regard was a meeting between head of the FPM Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan, PM Saad Hariri's adviser Nader Hariri of al-Mustaqbal Movement, said the daily.

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced a warning statement that the anticipated May 15 parliament session will not convene shall consensus between political parties fail on a new electoral law, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“I don't agree on an extension (of the parliament term). If an agreement on a new law is not reached before May 15, the legislative session will not convene,” warned Berri.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi advised political parties on Tuesday to reach a new voting system for the upcoming parliamentary polls and avoid an extension of the parliament’s term or vacuum at the legislative authority.

“I don't support the 1960 electoral law. I have always reiterated that I support an agreement on a new voting system,” said Rahi before departing to Rome on a visit that will last for a few days.

The Lebanese army tightened security measures on Tuesday in the northeastern border town of Arsal, media reports said.

Speaker Nabih Berri assured that several meetings between various political parties will be held ahead of a cabinet meeting on Thursday to agree on a new electoral law, as he urged Prime Minister Saad Hariri to assume responsibility, the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily reported on Tuesday.

Visitors to Berri quoted the Speaker as saying: “It is certain that many meetings will be held. But more importantly is they be held within the government. Prime Minister Saad Hariri must assume his responsibilities in this regard. In any case there will be no vote (on a new electoral law) in the cabinet. The election law can only be reached in conformity.”