News

Kanaan Meets Geagea, Says to Coordinate with LF on Electoral Law

Nov 19 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Change and Reform bloc secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan announced Thursday that the Free Patriotic Movement will coordinate with the Lebanese Forces on the issue of the new electoral law.

Kanaan voiced his remarks after a meeting in Maarab with LF leader Samir Geagea in the presence of LF media officer Melhem Riachi. The lawmaker was delegated by Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun, according to OTV.

Report: Electoral Law Committee to Hold First Meeting in December

Nov 19 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

A panel established on Wednesday to devise a new parliamentary electoral law will hold weekly meetings in order to resolve a dispute that has resulted in the extension of parliament's term on two occasions.

The committee will hold its first meeting on December 1, revealed the daily An Nahar on Thursday.

Its discussions will continue until mid-March 2016, which marks the beginning of parliament's regular session.

Change and Reform Wants 'Change and Solutions' President, Urges Fair Electoral Law

Nov 18 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

The Change and Reform bloc led by MP Michel Aoun on Wednesday called for electing a president who would bring “change and solutions,” as it stressed that the electoral law for parliamentary polls must be “fair” for Christians.

“We are advocates of a change and solutions presidency,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

The statement was recited by former labor minister Salim Jreissati.

10-Member Parliamentary Panel Formed to Devise Electoral Law

Nov 18 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

A parliamentary committee was set up Wednesday to devise a new electoral law, as part of the political settlement that had led to holding a legislative session on Thursday and Friday after around a one-year interruption.

“The panel is comprised of 10 members and it can convene with the presence of only six members,” Deputy Speaker Farid Makari announced after a meeting for the parliament bureau.

“Should it agree on a law, it will be submitted to parliament for a vote,” he added.

Report: Committee to Draft Electoral Law to be Formed Wednesday

Nov 17 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Speaker Nabih Berri has called on the Parliament Bureau on Wednesday to form the committee charged with drafting a new electoral law within a two-month period, the March 14 alliance was informed according to al Joumhouria daily on Tuesday.

The committee will be charged with drafting the law and to find common factors within the existing laws within a two-month period.

Berri Calls for 'Complete' Political Agreement Starting with Election of President

Nov 16 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Speaker Nabih Berri hailed the recent stances of Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri and Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, noting that they have made “progress” in reaching common positions, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Monday.

He told the daily: “We need a complete agreement, starting with the election of a president.”

The positions of Hariri and Nasrallah are in line with the agenda of the national dialogue, which he is sponsoring, he remarked.

Hariri: Determining Destiny of Presidency Reactivates Executive Authority

Nov 16 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri stated on Sunday that he is eager for a solution that meets the will of the Lebanese in a bid to end the vacuum at the top state post.

“We are eagerly waiting for a course that meets the will of the majority of the Lebanese in order to find a solution for the presidential vacuum,” said Hariri via twitter.

“We have always called for setting a road map that primarily begins with an agreement on a president,” he added.

Rahi Condemns Beirut and Paris Blasts, Touches on Election of Presidnet

Nov 15 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi urged Lebanese factions on Sunday to get rid of the obstacles hampering the election of a president, as he extended condolences over the victims of the Bourj al-Barajneh and Paris bombings that left several dead, the National News Agency said.

“We urge the Christian political forces to seek to remove all the hurdles hampering the election of a president, and to facilitate the process as fast as possible and to agree with the allying political factions on a new electoral law,” said Rahi during the Sunday mass in Bkirki.

43 Dead, 239 Hurt as 2 IS Suicide Bombers Target Bourj al-Barajneh

Nov 13 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Twin suicide bombings rocked a busy shopping street Thursday in the Beirut southern suburb of Bourj al-Barajneh, killing 43 people and wounding 239 others, in the worst such attack in years.

NNA said the attack was carried out by two suicide bombers who blew up their explosive vests in the Ain al-Sikkeh street.

The Internal Security Forces said two men on foot set off suicide vests in front of a shopping center.

Aoun Vows 'Strong Measures' over Electoral Law, Warns of 'Dangerous' Legislative Session

Nov 11 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun stressed Tuesday that the electoral law must be put on the agenda of the upcoming legislative session, warning that his bloc will take “strong and decisive measures” Wednesday over the issue.

“The agenda is not limited to financial legislation, contrary to the agreement that we made when we discussed the legislation of necessity,” said Aoun after the bloc's weekly meeting, referring to the legislative session that will be held on Thursday and Friday.

Report: LF, FPM Will not Attend Legislative Session without Electoral Law

Nov 04 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

The Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement have reiterated their commitment to addressing the parliamentary electoral law above any other article at the upcoming legislative session, reported An Nahar daily on Wednesday.

Sources from the LF told the daily that the two sides will adhere to their “rejection to attend any session that does not have the electoral law on its agenda.”

Report: Cabinet to Convene Wednesday to Resolve Trash Dispute

Nov 03 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is expected to call cabinet to session this week after the plan to end the trash the disposal crisis had reached its final stages, reported An Nahar daily on Tuesday.

Ministerial sources predicted that the premier will convene the session on Wednesday.

He will make the call at the end of the national dialogue session set to be held at parliament on Tuesday.

Report: Divisions Emerge at National Dialogue over 'Resistance-Supporting' President

Nov 02 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Divisions have emerged at the national dialogue talks over the characteristics of a new president for the country, reported the daily An Nahar on Monday.

It said that the March 8 and 14 camps are disputed over a president who supports the resistance, Hizbullah, and one who calls for Lebanon to adhere to its policy of disassociation from regional conflicts.

The March 8 camp, led by Hizbullah, is advocating the former, while the March 14 camp is advocating the latter.

Hizbullah-Mustaqbal Dialogue Urges Activation of Work of Govt., Parliament

Oct 28 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement stressed during their twentieth dialogue session on Tuesday the need to activate the work of the paralyzed government and parliament and continue the implementation of the security plan in all regions.

The session was attended by Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq after media reports said he could be replaced by another Mustaqbal representative. The minister had waged a fierce verbal attack on Hizbullah earlier this month, fueling speculation that his relatively good ties had worsened with the rival party.

Report: Salam Won't Resign and Surrender Country to Vacuum

Oct 28 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam will not step down from his post on Thursday, as media reports have been claiming in recent weeks, reported An Nahar daily on Wednesday.

It said that the premier “will not give up his political mission even if his personal interests lie in resigning.”

“Resignation however will not serve the country's interests, especially since the current government is not one of approving decrees, but one of managing the republic in the absence of a president,” his visitors told An Nahar.

Hariri: We Firmly Stand by Salam, Won't Give Hizbullah Chance to Undermine Dialogue

Oct 27 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri threw his support Monday behind Prime Minister Tammam Salam while stressing that Mustaqbal will not allow Hizbullah to “undermine dialogue.”

“Any Lebanese cannot but feel insulted by the scenes of the garbage that floated in Beirut's streets and the rest of the regions,” Hariri said in a statement released by his press office.

Parliament Bureau Fails to Agree on Legislative Session Agenda

Oct 27 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

The parliament bureau held a meeting on Tuesday in an attempt to agree on the agenda of the upcoming legislative session.

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari stated after the meeting however that the concerned forces failed to agree on an agenda.

A new meeting for the bureau will be held next week, he added.

Tuesday's meeting was held at Speaker Nabih Berri's residence of Ain el-Tineh.

It was attended by MPs Marwan Hamadeh, Ahmed Fatfat, Michel Moussa, Antoine Zahra, and Serge Torsarkissian.

Report: Salam Did Not Threaten to Resign, Still Has Several Options to Tackle Crisis

Oct 26 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is not ready to resign from his post and expose the country to more vacuum, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday.

Sources denied to the daily recent media reports that said that the premier would step down from his position on Thursday due to ongoing political disputes, most notably those on the trash disposal crisis.

“Who will the prime minister hand in his resignation to? Who will accept or reject it? The presidency has been vacant for over a year and a half,” they said.

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