The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc rejected on Tuesday the adoption of a parliamentary electoral law based on proportional representation “at the moment”.

It explained: “We reject this law given the control of the de facto powers over Lebanon in a manner that prevents all sides from properly benefiting from its reform characteristics.”

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday announced that his allies support the electoral law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering, rejecting what he described as attempts to “steal the rights of Christians.”

“Our allies support the Orthodox Gathering law and we will hear their stance during the meeting of the parliamentary committees this evening,” Aoun told reporters after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc in Rabiyeh.

The storm that has been hitting Lebanon since Saturday has caused millions of dollars in damages throughout Lebanon.

The Beirut southern suburb of Hay al-Sellom has been described as a “disaster area.” Flood waters from al-Ghadir River invaded homes and shops, turning the streets into ponds and wreaking havoc in the impoverished area.

A book on the Israeli secret service, Mossad, revealed the details of the assassination of Hizbullah prominent official Imad Mughnieh in Syria in 2008, reported al-Khaleej newspaper on Tuesday.

Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service by Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal dedicated a whole chapter to the assassination of the secretive Hizbullah official, who was killed in car bomb in Damascus.

Former General Security chief Jamil al-Sayyed held talks on Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad, reported the National News Agency.

The two-hour talks held in Syria focused on general developments, it added.

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh stressed on Tuesday that he is ready to attend any dialogue session that President Michel Suleiman calls for, accusing the March 14 opposition of forcing its conditions on the rest of the factions.

“Dialogue is the only solution to any crisis and the other team wants to tailor the solutions according to its interests,” Franjieh said following talks with a Progressive Socialist Party delegation tasked with discussing with rival parties an initiative by Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat.

The Social Affairs and Health Ministers said Tuesday 18,800 Lebanese families will be able to receive free health services in all public and private hospitals as part of the government’s welfare program launched last year to aid the poor.

“I hope that the free healthcare for the Lebanese families would be an example of what the government can do for the Lebanese people without any segregation,” Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour said during a press conference he held with Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil at the Grand Serail.

The Army Command stated on Tuesday that its units throughout Lebanon are continuing their efforts in assisting citizens who have been stranded by the snow and floods caused by the storm that has been affecting the country since Saturday.

It said in a statement that it has been helping stranded citizens throughout Lebanon, most notably in the areas of Baalbek, Akkar, Jbeil, and Keserwan.

Trade and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas stressed on Tuesday that the government is committed to the implementation of smoking ban but would consider amending it to support the restaurants sector and decrease their losses.

“We have to implement this ban but we can amend certain articles in it or issue executive in favor of the restaurants sector,” Nahhas said following talks with a delegation from the restaurant owners syndicate.

The number of Syrian refugees receiving assistance from the Lebanese government,the United Nations and non-governmental organizations has reached over 180,000.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees announced in its weekly report on Monday that 132,354 have been registered while 47,751 are awaiting registration.