Press Digest for Sunday June 23, 2013

4^min

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.

Sleiman to cooperate with PM-Designate, cabinet formation to be declared soon

An-Nahar Daily reported that President Michel Sleiman told the Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam that he will cooperate in order to form a new cabinet, given that during their meeting held on Saturday, discussions mainly tackled general frameworks of the formation.

In this context, well-informed sources said that Salam is insisting on his formula pertaining to a cabinet formed by 24 ministers divided into three eights, noting that he is “categorically rejecting any formula including a blocking third.”

The same sources expected that the contacts will intensify during the upcoming days in order to reach a new cabinet which represents all the Lebanese political parties.

Aridi: A cabinet without a main component does not last

Caretaker Minister of Public Affairs Ghazi Aridi revealed that discussions pertaining to the formation of a new cabinet have kicked off following the decision issued by the constitutional council, stressing that the new cabinet will be of a political nature.

In a statement to an-Nahar Daily, Aridi said that Hezbollah and March 8 camps reject the 8-8-8 formula, adding that due to the intervention of the Shiite party in Syria and the refusal of the Future Movement and its allies to sit on one dialogue table with it, a new cabinet cannot be expected to be formed anytime soon.

On the other hand, the minister stressed that the National Struggle Front will always stand by President Michel Sleiman, pointing out that the latter was attacked by both March 8 and March 14 camps during different situations but remained balanced and neutral.

On another note, Aridi said that the memos sent by Sleiman to the United Nations and the Arab League against Syria and against whoever violates Lebanon’s sovereignty are rightful, noting that the campaigns launched against the President are unfair.

Andraos: Damascus and Hezbollah are responsible for the rockets targeting Baabda

The Future Movement’s vice-President, former MP Antoine Andraos described the launching of the rockets toward the Baabda Palace and the Ministry of Defense as a suspicious message.

Andraos told Al Seyassah Kuwaitia Newspaper that “everybody is used to this type of messages sent by the Syrian regime and its local and foreign allies including Hezbollah.”

“We no longer get surprised by any act performed by Syria’s allies in Lebanon,” he added.

The former deputy noted that targeting the President comes within a plan aiming at reaching political and institutional void, stating that Hezbollah and March 8 forces have not been loyal to those who supported them and protected the Resistance.