Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi announced on Monday that he will present an initiative to resolve the dispute over the appointments in the Higher Judicial Council, hoping that the government would reach an agreement over the appointment of the head of the council.

He announced in a press conference that he will present a decree in May on the appointment of five members of the council.

Disabled Man Left Homeless after Collapse of his Zgharta House

A disabled man and his sister have been left homeless after their house in the village of Bou Seet in Zgharta collapsed on Sunday, reported the National News Agency on Monday.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized on Monday the government’s performance, while slamming the Free Patriotic Movement’s handling of the electricity file.

He said after holding talks in Maarab with Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel: “The government will collapse sooner or later.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat praised on Monday the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood’s statement on the developments in their country, saying that it reflected the Sunni population’s openness to regional changes.

He said: “The Muslim Brotherhood demonstrated moderation, diversity, and equality.”

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly on Monday discussed with Prime Minister Najib Miqati last week’s visit to Lebanon by a U.N. electoral assistance team.

“The team of experts were here to examine what possible assistance may be extended to Lebanon in line with the initial preparations for the forthcoming elections,” said Plumbly after the meeting at the Grand Serail.

The oil sector announced a three-day general strike next week to press the government to meet the demands of gas station owners and fuel distributors.

The head of the Association of Petroleum Importing Companies Maroun Shammas reiterated on Monday the request to increase their royalties from a surcharge on the transfer of oil-related material to 7.5 percent.

Hospitals were on Monday only admitting “critical cases” during a strike by hospitals and doctors for the refusal of the National Social Security Fund to increase physicians' fees.

The head of the Syndicate of Private Hospitals Suleiman Haroun told Free Lebanon Radio, that the hospitals will only admit patients with severe hemorrhage, those who have heart and respiratory problems and who undergo dialysis, and victims of traffic accidents.

Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas expressed his confidence on Monday that the cabinet will overcome the dispute on the electricity crisis “safely” during a session at the Baabda Palace.

“Prime Minister (Najib Miqati) proposed his scientific approach for the electricity crisis based on the available capabilities and latest technologies,” Nahhas told Voice of Lebanon Radio (93.3).

Beirut lawyers observed a one-day strike on Monday to protest the procrastination in the appointment of the head of the Higher Judicial Council.

The lawyers did not attend court proceedings at the Beirut Justice Palace which only witnessed the presence of the prosecutors, defendants and witnesses that could attend private hearings in the absence of their attorneys.

Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi is eyeing his candidacy to the premiership in case the cabinet collapses due to the sharp rift between the members of the government, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported Monday.

Al-Safadi, who is loyal to Miqati, had joined Change and Reform bloc Minister Jebran Bassil in opposing the premier’s approach to the electricity crisis.