Press Digest for Saturday June 22, 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.

• Abou Faour: PM-Designate Salam is adherent to the 8-8-8 formula         

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour said that talks held with House Speaker Nabih Berri are in the framework of discussions pertaining to the formation of the new cabinet.                          

Abou Faour told As-Safir newspaper that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam is adherent to the 8-8-8 formula [8 ministers for March 8, 8 for March 14, and 8 independent ministers], pointing out that the current situation in Lebanon requires a cabinet capable of dealing with the security incidents.              

• Abou Faour, Taymour Jumblatt to visit KSA                

Sources told As-Safir newspaper that Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour along with the son of the National Struggle Front Leader Taymour Jumblatt will be heading on Monday to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.                       

The sources added that the 2 officials will be holding talks with the Saudi Intelligence Chef Prince Bandar bin Sultan and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the framework of finding a new governmental formula.           

The sources mentioned that following the visit, officials will come up with a new formula that serves the Lebanese citizens, stressing that Hezbollah will be present in it.            

• Extension of parliament’s mandate is a rational choice                      

Al-Joumhouria newspaper quoted Saturday a Lebanese official as saying that the extension of the parliament’s mandate was a rational choice in light of the current situation that Lebanon is going through.                                     

In the same framework, parliamentary sources told the newspaper that some March 14 officials admitted that the popularity of Change and Reform Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun increased when the latter discussed the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft and denounced the extension of the parliament’s mandate.                                

The sources stressed that MP Aoun’s popularity declined following Hezbollah’s participation in the Al-Qusayr battle and its repercussions on the Lebanese scene.                     

• Salam to commence intensive discussions regarding new cabinet         

Al-Joumhouria newspaper said on Saturday that Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam will commence today intensive discussions regarding the formation of the new cabinet with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman.                            

The newspaper added that Salam considers that forming a new cabinet in agreement with the President is a means to get the country out of its current crisis in light of the latest security developments.                

Al-Joumhouria added that one of the obstacles that Salam is facing is the March 14 position regarding the participation of Hezbollah in the cabinet seemingly since these forces are rejecting Hezbollah’s participation before its withdrawal from Syria.