Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted that flaws in representation in parliamentary electoral laws have existed since 1990, reported al-Akhbar newspaper Wednesday.
He told the newspaper: “It is time to rectify the flaw according to the Taif Accord … and we definitely oppose the 1960 law.”
Full StorySpeaker Nabih Berri confirmed during Wednesday’s parliamentary meeting a list of politicians and figures targeted by extremist groups, describing the threat as serious and dangerous.
According to NBN, Berri called on security agencies to follow up the issue.
Full StoryLebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has warned that the abduction on Monday of Father Walid Gharious in the Bekaa Valley “might jeopardize civil peace.”
In an interview with CNNArabic, Geagea strongly condemned the kidnap operation, stressing that the case “must not be wrapped up through the approach of consensual security, because consensual security implies that the state has ceded its powers to local organizations, which would destroy the state and violate the coexistence charter.”
Full StoryThe cabinet session held at the Baabda Palace witnessed a heated debate between Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel over the controversial telecom data dispute.
Qortbawi lashed out at Charbel during Wednesday’s session for criticizing three judges at the judicial committee, which is tasked with assessing the possibility of providing the security forces with the telecom data, accusing them of not carrying out their full responsibilities.
Full StoryInterior Minister Marwan Charbel lamented the fact that the political powers do not seem keen on adopting proportional representation for the parliamentary electoral law, he told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Sunday.
He said: “I am still holding on to proportional representation … All preparations however to hold the 2013 elections are complete.”
Full StoryThe Lebanese Forces on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Energy Minister Jebran Bassil on charges of criminal defamation, the party announced in a statement.
It said that it filed the lawsuit over the minister’s remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper on April 23 in which he accused the March 14 forces of “preparing to kick off a new wave of political assassinations in Lebanon.”
Full StoryProgressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat held Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui responsible for halting the investigations concerning the attempted assassination of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.
Jumblat told al-Akhbar newspaper that Sehnaoui is responsible for preventing the security authorities from acquiring the telecom data to continue the probe into Geagea’s murder attempt.
Full StoryU.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman held talks with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace on Thursday.
The U.S. official stressed the United States’ support for Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty, and stability.
Full StoryLebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday accused Hizbullah and “the Aounist top brass” of being involved in the recent attempt on his life “through their role in misleading the investigation,” revealing that the March 14 forces will soon submit a draw law authorizing government to resort to extra-budgetary spending under certain conditions.
Speaking to reporters following talks with visiting Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman in Maarab, Geagea said: “The March 14 forces will submit a draft law that would authorize government to resort to extra-budgetary spending under extraordinary circumstances and within a period not exceeding 30 days, on condition that it pledges to submit a draft state budget to parliament.”
Full StoryU.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman held talks on Wednesday with Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Boulos Matar and a number of officials, a day after arriving in Beirut on a two-day visit.
He expressed during his talks “the United States’ steadfast support for pluralistic and democratic governments in the region that protect the rights of all citizens, including ethnic and religious minorities,” announced the U.S. Embassy in a statement.
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