The following are a selection of stories from Lebanese newspapers that may be of interest to Daily Star readers. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
Ad-Diyar
No presidential election in 2014, Parliament extension likely
It appears that the presidential election will not take place in 2014.
A high-ranking official told Ad-Diyar that "elections won’t be held in 2014, but instead Parliament’s mandate will be extended by two years in October based on the draft law proposed by MP Nicolas Fattoush."
Despite efforts by Speaker Nabih Berria and MP Walid Jumblatt to end the presidential election deadlock, unfortunately a new president will not be elected.
The government will then act in a caretaking capacity.
An-Nahar
Diplomatic flurry over presidential election, Vatican steps in
A political source told An-Nahar that a flurry of diplomatic efforts that has intensified is likely to facilitate the presidential election process.
"Something began cooking behind the scenes," the source.
The source, however, did not say whether the efforts would bear fruits given Gen. Michel Aoun’s insistence on his undeclared presidential nomination and his willingness to disrupt the election if the circumstances should prevent him from reaching Baabda Palace.
Vatican circles are also expected to make a stance on Lebanon, possibly in the form of a message or through internal communication with a signal: “Monopolizing Christian representation is forbidden."
An-Nahar has learned that an initiative intended to be launched by Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai to facilitate the presidential election has been postponed until after his return from the Vatican.
More to follow ...
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