Press Digest for Friday June 28, 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.

• March 8 alliance divided over extension of Army commander Gen. Kahwagi’s mandate

Sources told As-Safir newspaper on Friday that the extension of Army Commander Jean Kahwagi's term heightened political tensions between the March 8 alliance which supports the extension and the Change and Reform bloc head  MP Michel Aoun who rejects it.

Sources added that Hezbollah "fully understands" MP Aoun's stance in this regard, adding that the latter slammed Speaker Nabih Berri listing this issue on the Parliament's agenda.

• Formation of new government will not see light soon

Sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the latest deliberations exerted by Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam to form a new government did not so far yield progress.

Sources added that the formation of a new government will not see the light should some Lebanese parties insist on excluding Hezbollah from the cabinet.

According to the Daily, MP Wael Abou Faour kicked off a tour to meet with Lebanese leaders to discuss the latest developments pertaining to the Cabinet's formation following his visit to Saudi Arabia.

• Plumbly: Lebanon's stability is the UN's  top priority

The United Nations Special Coordinator to Lebanon Derek Plumbly told As-Safir newspaper on Friday that the UN puts Lebanon's stability and security on its top priority list.

He also urged all Lebanese leaders and security apparatuses to exert all possible efforts to restore peace and order in Sidon.

On Tripoli, Plumbly told the Daily that the latest incidents taking place in the city will have far-reaching repercussions on Lebanon.

• Sheikh al-Assir to his two wives: See you in heaven one day

Hajah Amal al-Assir, one of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir wives, told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday that the latest incidents in Sidon were a direct result of Hezbollah's insistence on not closing the Abra apartments.

She also  noted that the latest clashes with the Lebanese Armed Forces came "by surprise",  stressing that what happened was plotted in order to make them clash with the Lebanese army.

According to the Daily, Hajah Amal al-Assir saw her husband Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir for the last time on Monday when he asked all civilians to evacuate the complex, noting that his last words for his two wives before fleeing  were: "See you in heaven one day."

Hajah Amal al-Assir also offered her condolences to the families of the fallen LAF troops and to the "victims of the Bilal bin Rabah mosque."