Press Digest for Tuesday May 1, 2012

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

• Baabda sources: Aoun aims for presidency
  

Sources close to Baabda presidential palace revealed to An-Nahar that the brutal campaign carried out by General Michel Aoun against President Michel Sleiman aims to launch the election battle between Aoun and Sleiman at an early stage, adding that Aoun wishes to become president and this goal is not hidden anymore.  

The sources told the newspaper that Sleiman’s vision for the 8.9 trillion LBP issue is not related to politics or any bargain, pointing out that the president is working to restart the national dialogue.      

• Sleiman discussed latest issues with Assad
  

Sources told As-Safir that President Michel Suleiman called on Monday Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday to discuss the latest issues.  

Sources did not reveal to the newspaper the details of the talks, but said that they focused on the crisis in Syria.  

They addressed United Nations and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s ceasefire plan and international efforts to end the crisis.  

The plan calls for a cessation of violence, allowing the freedom of mobility of the press, and the release of political prisoners.  

Earlier on Monday, a Lebanese man was wounded when Syrian troops opened fire at skiers in Mount Hermon in the Rashaya district.                      

• Joint Lebanese-Israeli charity event in the US
  

According to Al-Akhbar newspaper, The Lebanese Social Club (LSC) in collaboration with the Israeli Leadership Council (ILC) organized a joint charity event and a fundraising occasion in the United States to help children in Lebanon and “Israel”.  

The newspaper added that the ILC is an Israeli pro-Zionist organization that focuses on Israeli and Jewish diaspora around the world and sending money to the Israeli Defense Forces to ensure their comfort.  

On the other hand the LSC was the surprised by the brutal campaign against the fundraising event which will be held next Sunday, adding that it did not see in the Israeli group any motive to prevent the collaboration.    

• Al-Kataeb party to abandon Saifi headquarter
  

According to Al-Akhbar newspaper Al-Kataeb party will have to evacuate their Saifi headquarters as one of PM Najib Mikati’s construction companies owns shares in Saifi and is looking forward to build a tower in this spot.  

The newspaper added that those working in the party headquarter will be transferred to Jounieh’s Kataeb office as the construction company will start its work in 2 weeks as agreed on with the Kataeb.