Press Digest for Thursday February 2, 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.       

• Mikati: Our patience has a limit

According to As-Safir newspaper PM Najib Mikati is not willing to resign as he said “We might be patient but our patience has a limit. The Lebanese should know is disrupting the government’s work”.

“I refuse to waste my time in cabinet sessions with no purpose; before we settle all our problems we will not hold cabinet sessions”, Mikati was quoted as saying. Mikati called on all political leaders and political parties to assume their responsibilities towards the country and the citizens.  

• Bassil: No more cabinet meetings

The Minister of Energy Gebran Bassil told An-Nahar newspaper that the Change and Reform Bloc refuses the fact that a certain group can impose its ideas and political agenda on other groups.

“They believed that Mikati’s decisions regarding the administrative appointments are unchangeable; we are not trying to oppose anyone but if some ministers accept that fact Change and Reform ministers refuse it”, Bassil told the newspaper.  

• Mufti Qabbani at CMC for surgery

According to Al-Anbaa newspaper Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani was rushed to Clemenceau Medical Center for an urgent surgery after he suffered from chronic back problems  

• Mikati will hold press conference from Tripoli

According to Al-Joumhouria newspaper PM Najib Mikati will hold a press conference on Thursday morning in Tripoli to discuss the latest political development in the country. The newspaper added that Mikati will tackle crucial topic in his speech as well as developmental and economic issues.

Mikati will respond to all criticisms and will draw Lebanon’s political path in the coming months.

• Walid Jumblatt in February 14

Sources close to March 14 coalition told Al-Liwaa newspaper that the coalition should carefully observe the changes in the region occurring simultaneously with the “Arab Spring” to draw its future political map in the country and the region.

The sources revealed that Shiites figures close to March 14 will attend February 14 ceremony.

Al-Liwaa revealed that a delegation from the Progressive Socialist Party will headed by MP Walid Jumblatt will attend the ceremony especially that the ties between the PSP and the Future Movement were never ruptured.