Sleiman: Proportionality law raised before Parliament

Lebanese President, Michel Sleiman, said that the Cabinet raised on Thursday the proportionality-based electoral law before the Parliament. "Ministers should not exit the governmental unanimity over the electoral law," Sleiman remarked as chairing today's Cabinet session. The President, within efforts carried out to have elections be held on time, said that he has signed a decree to open an exceptional session for the Parliament to facilitate the endorsement of a new Lebanese-made electoral law. In terms of the Syrian refugees' issue, Sleiman said Premier Mikati shall be partaking in the Arab Development Summit, to be held in Saudi Arabia, whereby "the opportunity will be available to tackle this topic." "I will also be attending the Donor States' Conference in Kuwait, devoted to tackle the displaced issue," he elaborated. Sleiman informed the Cabinet about his upcoming visit to Russia during which he shall meet with senior officials, headed by Vladimir Putin. He voiced sorrow over the delay of the French Foreign Ministry signing the release of Georges Abdallah, and said he had notified the French Ambassador in several letters about this issue. On the topic of the Lebanese nationals abducted in Aazaz, Sleiman said Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and Major General Abbas Ibrahim visited Qatar and called on the country to intervene and help bring back the kidnapped. The President denounced the crime that had targeted the university in Aleppo and taken the lives of young innocent students.