Press Digest for Tuesday June 25, 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.



Salam: The latest developments urge the swift formation of the new government         

Sources close to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam quoted him as saying that the latest developments that took place in the city of Sidon highlight the need to avoid political vacuum in the country and to expedite the formation of the new government.           

In this regard, the same sources told An-Nahar daily that the new cabinet shall assume its responsibilities in light of the dire security situation that Lebanon is going through.           


Sources: Gap narrows between FPM, Hezbollah          

Sources close to the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) told the Kuwaiti Daily Al Anbaa that the differences with Hezbollah are narrowing in a bid to hold further meetings that mainly tackle the formation of the new government.       

Same sources added that the FPM and Hezbollah shall always work hand in hand in regards to the formation of the new cabinet, and do their utmost in order to ease the tensions that result from the extension of the parliament's mandate.             


Charbel says LAF should exert more efforts to maintain security           

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told Al-Liwaa newspaper that the current phase is critical, pointing out that the Lebanese Armed Forces should exert more efforts in order to maintain security in the country.           

In this context, Charbel held the Lebanese people responsible for safeguarding unity and avoiding sedition, adding that Lebanon will withstand dire repercussions should the Lebanese parties remain divided.              


Siniora says he has been opposing Sheikh Assir's movements            

Head of the Future Bloc Fouad Siniora told Al-Liwaa daily that the Lebanese State and the Lebanese Armed Forces shall always maintain security and civil peace, noting that he has been opposing the movements of the Imam of Bilal bin Rabbah mosque Sheikh Ahmad Assir since he first started blocking roads.             

In this regard, Siniora called on the concerned authorities to equally apply the law on all the Lebanese parties, in reference to Hezbollah and Sheikh Assir.