Press Digest for Thursday June 20, 2013

        
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.

• President Sleiman: I want to protect the resistance even from itself            

President Michel Sleiman stressed on Thursday that the governmental file will be tackled as soon as the issue of the extension of the parliament's mandate is settled, calling for a government "in which all the Lebanese political parties can participate".            

On another note, Sleiman told As-Safir daily that he rejects Hezbollah's involvement in the Syrian crisis, noting that "the group's intervention is taking a toll on Lebanon".
           
"I already said that I will protect the resistance and I will protect it even from itself. When I see that Hezbollah's actions are wrong, I will  not praise them," Sleiman added.              

• Salam to take the "right decision" should the parties fail to reach a governmental formula           

Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam told As-Safir newspaper that he will not waste more time if he feels that the Lebanese political parties are not willing to cooperate with him in order to form a new government.              

In this regard, Salam stressed the need to form a new cabinet that shall be able to meet the challenges at the economic and security levels, adding that he will not wait much longer and will take the "right decision" should the parties fail to reach a governmental formula.         
      

• MP Marouni: Salam will form a new government in a few days time              

Kataeb bloc MP Elie Marouni quoted Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam as saying that he is adamant on the 'swift' formation of the new government, noting that the said cabinet shall give free hand to the Lebanese Armed Forces in order to thwart any attempt to compromise security in the country.            

In this context, MP Marouni told Asharq Al-Awsat daily that a new government should be formed as soon as the Constitutional Council takes its decision, adding that the formation of a new cabinet cannot take place if Salam will take into account all the parties' demands.           

MP Marouni also stressed that Salam will form a new government after a few days, pointing out that he should agree with President Michel Sleiman on the best governmental formula.            

• Sources: Dozens of Lebanese expats expelled from Qatar            

Well-informed sources told Al-Mustaqbal newspaper that dozens of Lebanese expatriates were given a two-day ultimatum to leave the Qatari territories.   

Same sources confirmed that a number of the Lebanese nationals arrived on Tuesday to Beirut, noting that around 25 persons are expected to arrive either today and tomorrow.