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.
Member of the Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat said that the cabinet is forced to “coexist” with the current troubled political situation in the absence of a president.
In a statement to Acharq al-Awsat newspaper, he noted that the statements launched by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah undermine the party’s credibility and would only aggravate the situation, which was relatively calmed by the dialogue held between the Shiite party and the Future Movement.
“We have set a ceiling for the dialogue, and we will see what the outcome will be,” he added, pointing out that Nasrallah’s speech showed that the decision and the weapons come from the Iranian side but the implementation is Hezbollah’s responsibility.
Well-informed sources told al-Hayat daily that Chairman of the Foreign Policy and National Security Committee at the Iranian Shura Council, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, stressed his keenness on keeping the best relations with Lebanon during his meeting with Prime Minister Tammam Salam while he was on a visit to Beirut.
The daily added that during his meetings with Lebanese officials, Boroujerdi stressed that his country is keen on supporting Lebanon’s stability and security.
In this context, the sources said Salam expressed hope that Iran would help in ending the presidential vacuum, just as it helped to form the cabinet.
An-Nahar daily quoted a ministerial source as saying that Hezbollah is requested to clarify its stance over the latest developments, mainly concerning the implementation of the the United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.
The source added that violating this resolution drags Lebanon into a confrontation with the International Community.