Lebanon’s Cabinet to Establish Electoral Committee

The Lebanese cabinet formed on Wednesday a committee headed by Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi to study the establishment of the independent authority overseeing the elections, local Naharnet news website reported.

“The committee includes two judicial figures,” Information Minister Walid al-Daouq told media outlets after the session held at the Baabda Palace.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said on Monday during a press conference that the formation of the authority is crucial no matter what electoral system the rival parties decided to adopt.

On the Arsal ambush that targeted an army patrol, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said during Wednesday’s session that “procedures are ongoing to detain culprits and prosecute them.”

The information minister quoted Sleiman as saying: “The matter will not end before (offenders) are brought to justice.”

The patrol was ambushed earlier in the month by Arsal gunmen as it was hunting a man wanted for several terrorist acts, leaving two soldiers dead.

Since then, the military has set up checkpoints at Arsal’s entrances, searching all vehicles entering the town and exiting it.

The president also tackled the increasing rate in kidnappings recently, considering that the matter “harms Lebanon’s image.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati called for a session on Tuesday at the Baabda Palace to tackle the new wage scale for public employees during an extraordinary session.