Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Pan-Arab and Lebanese newspapers Saturday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

Ad-Diyar

Sleiman: I am not considering extending [my term] or renewing it, I want to play a political role

Patriarch Beshara Rai has effectively ended the revival of any national dialogue session that would have looked into the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons ever since his arrival from France after his [controversial] statements.

When Rai announced that Hezbollah’s weapons were linked to the issue of preventing naturalization of Palestinians as well as the occupation of the Shebaa Frams, he effectively ended the national dialogue session. With Rai’s announcement of his stance on Hezbollah’s weapons, this means that the majority of Lebanese are now in the position of being supporters of the Maronite position.

Also, after the damage to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Sleiman and Energy Minister Jibran Bassil over the issue of the electricity draft bill, the role of Aoun and the FPM has receded. Sunni, Shiite and Druze leaders are also taking note of Rai’s stances.

President Michel Sleiman launched a series of positions during an interview with MTV television station, the most prominent being his rejection to the idea of extending his term when leaving office on May 24, 2014, noting that extension harms the role of the president in trying to bring in reforms. Sleiman stressed that he is not thinking at all about extending his term or renewing it.

As Safir

Ban asks about 1559, Sleiman responds: first implement 1701

Just like every year with the arrival of the rain, the capital turns into a swamp: it traps citizens in their cars while they wait for hours in heavy traffic. That is what happened yesterday with the first winter rain.

Meanwhile, Roumieh prison witnessed a security scandal which shows that the prison is a ticking time bomb ready to explode any moment.

At that time, Lebanon did not receive any sign from the United Nations that would finalize the issue of the economic maritime zone but it gave Lebanon the green light to invest in the undisputed areas. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki moon encouraged President Michel Sleiman to do so during his meeting with the president the day before.

As Safir also found out that Ban had asked Sleiman about fully implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which stipulates the disarmament of all militias in the country. Sleiman told Ban that 1559 and 1701 are connected and as soon as Israel fully implements 1701, Lebanon would do the same with 1559.

Al-Hayat

Rai explains his Paris remarks

The most distinguished feature of the Maronite gathering that took place yesterday in Bkirki under the sponsorship of Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, was Rai’s initiative, requested by MP Nadim Gemayel, to explain the remarks he made in Paris.

Gemayel said: “You are the one who is directly related to this issue and we would like an explanation.” Rai then responded to Gemayel, according to many who attended the meeting, and said that his remarks in Paris had been misinterpreted and continued to explain his comment regarding Hezbollah’s weapons, saying: “I am against any party or Hezbollah who participates in the government and has MPs in the Parliament and bears weapons … what I told [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy is that when the Shebaa Farms are librated, Hezbollah would not have an excuse for carrying weapons.”

As for his remarks regarding the Syrian unrest, Rai was quoted as saying: “I did not say I was with the Syrian regime or that I supported it and I don’t interfere in the internal affairs [of the country] but the Iraqi and Egyptian example were not encouraging  ... that is why we fear for the future of Christians in Syria if what happened in Egypt and Iraq occurs.”

Ash-Sharq al-Awsat

Christian leaders discuss with the patriarch the best electoral law to strengthen the role of Christians

Christian leaders gathered yesterday in Bkirki to study the issue of a new electoral law in light of the proposals presented by many Christian officials and parties. The most interesting proposal was adopting a proportional representation system in the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections.

Patriarch Rai presented a proposal that was summarized in two points: protecting the correct Christian representation and maintaining the law’s national character. Rai’s proposal also included the size of the districts and other details that are related to the voting process.

Despite the full attendance at Bkirki, National Liberal Party head Dory Chamoun was not present. Chamoun told the newspaper that his absence represents his belief that Bkirki should be involved in religious affairs, rather than political ones.

Sources told Ash-Sharq al-Awsat that the Christian leaders especially the Kataeb party, rejected proportional representation and that they favor other proposals that would better represent Christians and other sects in the country.