Speaker Nabih Berri considered on Wednesday that the security situation in the country is “intolerable,” lashing out at the security forces for failing to protect the Lebanese.

“If the security and military forces are incapable of safeguarding the Lebanese then why are we paying them their salaries? Every Lebanese then would protect himself,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati is holding onto his stance from the so-called Orthodox Gathering electoral draft-law, reiterating his rejection to the adoption of the proposal, media reports said on Tuesday.

Sources close to the premier pointed out in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper that he informed officials that he will not attend any parliamentary session set to vote on the Orthodox proposal.

Envoys of President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati are expected to present to various political factions a new version of the hybrid electoral draft law, reported the daily An Nahar Tuesday.

It said that Suleiman's envoy, former Minister Khalil al-Hrawi, and Miqati's envoy, Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas, are set to hold discussions with the factions on a law that sees the election of 68 MPs based on the winner-takes-all system and 60 based on the proportional representation system.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat adopted on Tuesday the electoral draft-law proposed by the government as he revealed that his party is carrying out negotiations with al-Mustaqbal Movement to reach common ground over the matter.

“We are carrying out discussions based on the electoral draft-law proposed by the cabinet and we might reach an agreement between the March 8 and 14 coalitions over the matter after modifying it,” Jumblat said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Sources in the foreign ministry have not noticed any move to file a complaint with Damascus over the latest Syrian cross-border violations, the Central News Agency reported on Monday.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour “is currently outside the country,” the agency quoted informed sources as saying, a day after Prime Minister Najib Miqati asked the minister to “officially inform Syrian authorities of our rejection of this behavior and our demand that its recurrence be prevented.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat warned on Monday that lack of consensus on an electoral draft-law would lead the country to destruction.

In remarks to As Safir newspaper, Jumblat said consensus is necessary more than any other time, adding time has not run out yet.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that he will not call for a parliamentary session without previous consensus among the rival parties on the new electoral law.

“I run the sessions, I am one of the main elements of the national pact and I evaluate the interest of the country before I take any decision,” Berri said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

President Michel Suleiman on Sunday urged the “Syrian side” to refrain from opening fire and shelling Lebanon after two Lebanese were killed on the northern border with Syria.

Suleiman “expressed regret” at the death of Lebanese from “military operations near the Lebanese border,” said a statement issued by Baabda palace.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said Sunday that his National Struggle Front and al-Mustaqbal bloc were coordinating efforts to reach consensus on an electoral draft-law that is reportedly based on a hybrid system.

In remarks to An Nahar daily, Jumblat said: “We and al-Mustaqbal movement are coordinating to achieve a consensual draft-law.”

Gemayel Defends Orthodox Plan for Guaranteeing Partnership, Says Not in Confrontation with Suleiman

Phalange leader Amin Gemayel reiterated on Sunday his support for the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal but said his party was willing to approve several electoral draft-laws on condition they guarantee the best representation for Christians.