Lebanese officials react on elections

Former Lebanese Premier Salem al-Hoss on Wednesday said that adopting "the district as a constituency wouldn't accord with al-Taif Agreement which stipulates for adopting the governorate as a constituency." "The electoral law of the year 2000 and the law of district are not so good... the best project should adopt the governorate as a constituency based on the proportional representation," Hoss added in a statement.

In this context, the Shiite Islamic Supreme council in Lebanon echoed al-Hoss comments, insisting that adopting "the district as a constituency" is considered a contradictory to al-Taif Accord and the common coexistence convention.

The council, following a rotating meeting chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Council Sheikh Abdulamer Kabalan, condemned the foreign interventions in Lebanese internal affairs.

On Lebanese-Syrian relations, the council called for keeping the strongest relations which preserve both countries security and destiny in the face of Israeli threats and dangers.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced that it has not appointed any coordinator to the international investigation mission into the crime of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq al-Hariri assassination. "The person whom the media pointed to has been charged to accompany the investigation team during its mission in Beirut, no more than this," the Ministry said in a statement.

On a different note, a delegation of a US Congress Headed by Chairman of the Republican Majority, Senator Bill Frest arrived in Beirut on Wednesday evening coming from Amman. During its visit, the delegation will meet Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and Premier Najib Miqati.