May 4

• Bishop Boulos Matar holds discussions with Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Walid Jumblat on the draft electoral law on behalf of Patriarch Al-Rai.
• President Michel Suleiman arrives in Vatican and congratulates the Pope on his enthronement over the Catholic Church.
• Former Minister Farid Haykal al-Khazen holds a Christian gathering at his residence, including former Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir who urges the holding of elections on time.

May 8

• LF leader receives Minister Gebran Bassil and former MP Elie Ferzli in Meerab and the discussion revolves around the electoral law, particularly the Orthodox proposition.
• Bishop Boulos Matar holds talks with Future Bloc leader Fouad Seniora, Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour and MP Alain Aoun on the electoral issue.
• Major General Abbas Ibrahim returns from Turkey after having received the names of 371 women detainees that the kidnappers want released in exchange of the release of the 9 Lebanese pilgrims.
• Syria allows Lebanese transit trucks to cross into Syria after having denied their entry for almost a month.
• MP Sami Gemayel unveils an attempt to amend the Constitution by adding a paragraph urging Lebanon’s neutrality in the introduction.

May 9

• Head of the Constitutional Council Dr. Issam Suleiman holds a press conference aimed at defending the legality of the body. Suleiman assures that the council will continue to carry out its duties as long as no new candidates present themselves to replace the members whose terms have expired.
• Speaker Nabih Berri calls for a legislative session on May 15 to discuss the electoral law.
• Future Bloc leader Fouad Seniora launches a book entitled Slander in the Book on Exoneration in retaliation for The Impossible Exoneration issued earlier by the Change and Reform Bloc.

May 10

• On the 25th anniversary of Hezbollah’s An-Nour radio station, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announces his support for a popular resistance in the Golan Heights, stressing that Hezbollah will vote for the Orthodox Gathering proposal and call for a government of national partnership.
• 3 Lebanese dead in Qusayr after fighting on the side of Syrian rebels.
• President Michel Suleiman meets Lebanon’s General Prosecutor and head of the Central Inspection and urges the control of administrative violations without regard to political calculations.
• The Lebanese Army Intelligence arrests the members of a suspicious cell hiding explosive devices and detonators.
• The ISF bans the families of the abducted pilgrims from protesting in front of the Turkish Cultural Center, downtown Beirut. In response, the families block the road for some time.
• “Our financial status is shaky and we strive to keep the inflation rate around 4 percent,” says Central Bank’s Governor Riad Salemeh during the Arab Economic Forum.

May 11

• “The Baabda Declaration and a defense strategy that places the resistance’s arms at the will of the army will protect Lebanon against any Israeli assault,” says President Michel Suleiman in an indirect response to Nasrallah’s speech. The speech triggered a series of conflicting reactions with some praising Nasrallah’s rhetoric and others condemning him for plunging Lebanon into an unnecessary conflict.
• A PSP delegation including Minister Ghazi Al-Aridi visits Speaker Nabih Berri and underscores its rejection of the Orthodox Gathering proposition.
• Phalange MPs meet Speaker Nabih Berri and Future Bloc leader Fouad Seniora and propose constitutional amendment that stipulates Lebanon’s neutrality towards regional conflicts.

May 13

• The United Arab Emirates warns its citizens not to travel to Lebanon.
• MP Walid Jumblat returns to Beirut following his visit to Saudi Arabia where he met, accompanied with his son Taymour and Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour, with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Prince Bandar Bin Sultan.

May 14

• PM-designate Tamam Salam holds talks with Speaker Nabih Berri over the formation of government.
• U.S. Coordinator for Middle East Affairs Philip Gordon arrives in Lebanon on his first visit after assuming his new post on March 11.
• The Constitutional Council revokes the PSP’s request to annul the suspension of the electoral deadlines.

May 15

• The Phalange MPs visit Hezbollah to discuss their plan to amend the constitution in a way that guarantees Lebanon’s neutrality.
• Shells originating from Syria hit the outskirts of the Lebanese town of Al-Qaa.

May 16

• Speaker Nabih Berri adjourns the parliamentary session over lack of quorum. The Lebanese Forces, the PSP and the Future Bloc put forth a draft law stipulating the election of 68 deputies by plurality voting and 60 by proportionality. The Phalange Party expresses its reserve over the proposition and the LF leader, Samir Geagea, announces that he has given up on the Orthodox Gathering draft law.
• Hezbollah’s Deputy Chief Sheikh Naim Qassem reveals his commitment to holding the elections and his rejection of the 8-8-8 governmental formula.

May 17

• Verbal clashes erupt between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement following the former’s renouncing of the Orthodox Gathering proposition and adoption of a hybrid draft law. Geagea assures that all the polls indicate the presence of the LF at the front Christian line.
• Speaker Nabih Berri proposes a draft law by which 64 Christian and Muslim deputies will be elected on the basis of a hybrid proportional Orthodox law, while the remaining 64 deputies will be elected on the basis of the majority system. Berri withdraws his proposal later because of its rejection by the Future Movement.
• Italy’s Defense Minister Mario Mauro concludes his visit to Lebanon, stressing that the Italian troops will maintain their presence in South Lebanon.
• Clashes in Tripoli leave 1 dead and 2 injured.

May 18

• “I will not call for a session amid disagreement over the electoral law,” says Speaker Nabih Berri, assuring that he has no intention to extend Parliament’s term, not by even one day.
• President Michel Suleiman urges adherence to the constitutional prerequisites.
• Iranian President’s Aid,Mohamad Rida Mirtaj, arrives in Lebanon and underlines the need for national unity in the country.
• “It was the Liberation War that pushed us into the Taef Accord,” says MP Antoine Zahra in response to Minister Gebran Bassil.
• The parliamentary communication committee continues its discussion of a new electoral draft law without reaching any progress.

May 20

• The Jabal Mehsen-Bab Tebbaneh clashes in Tripoli result in the death of 2 people and the injury of 20. The Lebanese Army intervenes to cease the fights.
• 1 killed and 4 injured in armed clashes between Islamic members and the Fath movement in the Ain Helwi camp.
• FPM-backed candidate Antoine Boustany elected Head of the Lebanese Order of Physicians in Beirut. Elie Habib, who enjoys the support of former PMs Najib Mikati and Omar Karami, wins his bid to lead the order in the north.
• Akkar commemorates the 1st anniversary of the death of Sheikh Ahmad Abdul Wahed and his colleague. “Hezbollah’s participation in the fights in Syria is very foolish”, says Fares Soueid during the celebration. In his speech, Khaled Daher asserts the presence of agents for Iran and Hezbollah in the Lebanese Army, stressing that he has reported to the security forces a scheme aimed at assassinating the Saudi, Qatari and Turkish ambassadors.
• During his pastoral tour in Argentina, Patriarch Al-Rai urges Lebanese officials to relinquish power should they fail to broker an electoral law and form a government.

May 21

• Clashes resume in Tripoli leaving 2 Lebanese Army members dead and a few injured.
• Families of the Lebanese pilgrims abducted in Syria break into the Turkish Cultural Center, downtown Beirut, and the police negotiate an end to the protest.
• The parliamentary communication committee ends its sessions to no avail.
• General Michel Aoun tells MTV that he will not boycott the elections even if the 1960s’ law was adopted, assuring that his candidates will present their candidatures within the constitutional periods.
• US President Barack Obama calls his Lebanese counterparts and stresses that Lebanon should maintain neutrality towards the conflict unfolding in Syria.
• Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani receives former President Amine Gemayel in Doha.
• The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities opens the door for candidature and extends the period for May 27.

May 22

• Death toll rises to 7 following the resumption of clashes in Tripoli. The number of injured reaches 50.
• Disputes erupt at the Dar al-Fatwa headquarters in Saida between the newly appointed Mufti Ahmad Nassar and his predecessor Salim Sousan after the latter refuses to step down. The Intelligence Branch resolves the matter by closing down the headquarters.
• The Future Bloc urges the holding of the elections as soon as possible and accuses Hezbollah of engaging Lebanon in the Syrian crisis, objecting firmly to any offence against the Turkish interests.
• 3 people killed in the Syrian shelling targeting Abou Khaled.

May 23

• 13 deaths and 176 injuries is the total number of casualties sustained in Tripoli so far.
• Hezbollah buries 8 of its fighters killed in Syria, and the burial coincides with a clash between the supporters of Sheikh Ahmad El-Assir and the Popular Nasserite Organization.
• Minister and MP Nicolas Fattoush puts forth a draft law postulating the extension of Parliament’s mandate by 2 years until June 20, 2015.
• MP Suleiman Frangieh addresses the Lebanese University students on the occasion of the Resistance and Liberation Day.
• “The Army will not stay silent anymore against any attacks it receives,” says the Lebanese Army Commander on the Resistance and Liberation Day.
• LF leader Samir Geagea reiterates on MTV his opposition to the 2-year extension of Parliament’s term and his commitment to the hybrid draft law.

May 24

• Tripoli casualties increase to 21 deaths and 200 injured.
• Another 18 candidates present their candidatures for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
• US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly gives a lecture at the USEK, voicing her concern over Tripoli’s incidents and calling for the holding of elections as scheduled.
• Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil slams the Mount Lebanon divisions as being a preliminary path to war and describes the extension of Parliament’s term as “discouraging”.
• “Leaders of battle fronts in Tripoli are the people who are defending the city and we are proud of them,” says Former ISF Chief Ashraf Rifi adding that there are some [parties] who made a miscalculation on the ground in the town of Al-Qusayr, in an implicit reference to Hezbollah.
• Upon the request of the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, the Higher Consultative Committee at the Ministry of Justice issues a consultative opinion permitting the convening of the caretaker government to approve the budget for electoral expenditures and form the Electoral Supervisory Committee.

May 25

• President Michel Suleiman celebrates the Resistance and Liberation Day at the LAF Command in Yarzeh and directs implicit criticism at Hezbollah.
• 400 candidates from different backgrounds and political affiliations flock into the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities to present their candidatures. Phalange candidates are yet to present theirs.
• Following his meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri, MP Walid Jumblat voices his support of the extension of Parliament’s mandate.
• Caretaker government to appoint members of the Electoral Supervisory Committee and approve electoral expenditures next Monday at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
• Current and former Prime Ministers convene at the Grand Serail to discuss the latest developments in Tripoli.
• The Lebanese Army reinforces its presence in Tripoli and the violence, which resulted in 24 fatalities and hundreds injured, begins to wear off.
• Maronite Patriarch Al-Rai returns from his 45-day tour and reiterates that elections should be held on time and that Parliament’s term should not be prolonged.
  The Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, announces his opposition to holding the elections according to the 1960s’ law.

May 27

• Two rockets launched from the town of Aitat target the Southern Suburb of Beirut wounding 4 Syrian nationals and drawing a series of condemning responses.
• In a televised speech on the 13th anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah assures that Hezbollah is fighting the Takfiri groups in Syria to deter them from reaching Lebanon. Nasrallah criticizes the President of the Republic implicitly, slamming the fragility of the state and revealing his support of the extension of Parliament’s term.
• Former PM Saad Hariri says that Nasrallah has pronounced the resistance dead on its national day and brands his speech as worthless.
• Patriarch Al-Rai holds separate talks with LF leader Samir Geagea and General Michel Aoun and says he is against extending the mandate of Parliament. Aoun reports the same reiterating his rejection of the 1960s’ law.
• Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Assiri holds a dinner banquet at his residence in honor of Minister Omar Karami and PMs Najib Mikati, Tamam Salam, Fouad Seniora and Salim Hoss.

May 28

• The Cabinet convenes in Baabda and approves the amount of LBP 22 billion for electoral expenditures. It also appoints the members of the electoral Supervisory Committee and sets the date for expatriates’ vote on the 7th and 9th of June in Melbourne, Sydney and Kuwait.
• 3 shells launched by Syrian rebels land in Hermel and cause the death of a 17-year-old girl.
• The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities closes the door of candidature at 706 submissions compared to 716 in 2009.
• The monthly statement of the Maronite bishops opposes the extending Parliament’s term.

May 29

• Perpetrators drive off to Syria after killing 3 Lebanese Army members in an attack on their checkpoint in the town of Arsal.
• Speaker Nabih Berri and former PM Fouad Seniora agree on prolonging Parliament’s term following their meeting.
• General Michel Aoun renews his opposition to extending Parliament’s term.
• New shells originating from strongholds of Syrian militants land in Hermel.
• The Future Bloc accuses Hassan Nasrallah of transforming Hezbollah from a resistance to a militia commanded by Iran, urging him to withdraw his fighters from Syria.
• Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff Salim Idrees gives Nasrallah 24 hours to withdraw his fighters from Syria.

May 30

• Accompanied by the Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, President Michel Suleiman arrives at the Arsal checkpoint where 3 soldiers were killed earlier and reiterates the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.
• President Michel Suleiman assures to Future TV that he will appeal against the extension of Parliament’s term. The Parliament’s Bureau Committee convenes under the chairmanship of Speaker Nabih Berri and decides to hold a session on Friday to extend Parliament’s term by 1 year and 5 months, i.e. until November 20, 2014.
• LF leader Sami Geagea responds to Nasrallah’s speech warning that the actions of Hezbollah might usher in a massive explosion and reiterating his support of an extended Parliament’s term.
• Caretaker PM suggests to President Suleiman the resumption of dialogue.

May 31

• The Lebanese Army sets up a security cordon around Farhat Hospital in Jeb Jennin, following reports that an injured Free Syrian Army soldier who is being treated there is suspected to be involved in the attack against the 3 Lebanese soldiers.   The investigations reveal later that the injured Syrian is not involved in the Arsal incident.
• Christian figures and MPs announce from the residence MP Boutros Harb that the compulsory extension of Parliament’s term is a violation of the democratic system.
• MP Walid Jumblat visits the LA Commander Jean Qahwaji in support of the army.
• Former President Amine Gemayel refuses holding the elections according to the 1960s’ law.
• Members of the Amal Movement enter into fierce clashes with a number of Palestinians near the Cite Sportive following their raising of banners supporting Al-Qaeda.

June 1

• Parliament holds a 10-minute session that approves the extension of Parliament’s term until November 20, 2014 amid the approval of all 97 attending MPs and the absence of the Change and Reform Bloc members.
• The Change and Reform Bloc announces following its meeting its plan to appeal against the extension of Parliament’s term and General Michel Aoun says a great responsibility lays ahead of the Constitutional Council.
• Protesters over the parliamentary extension gather in front of Parliament’s entrance and hurl ripe tomatoes at the cars of MPs.
• Former Minister Ziad Baroud reports that the extension of Parliament’s term is unconstitutional.
• Former PM Fouad Seniora holds Hezbollah responsible for the extension.