Press Digest for Monday July 08, 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.

• French government to provide LAF with offensive weapons             

Sources told Al-Joumhouria newspaper that the French government has decided to provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with offensive weapons, in an unprecedented move since the Nahr el-Bared incidents.        

In this context, well-informed sources told the daily that "Paris is confident that such weapons will not fall in the hands of any other party, especially those of Hezbollah".    

Same sources also reported that the said measures aim at supporting the LAF, noting that the military institution is expected to face new challenges on the security level.                

• Major General Ibrahim follows up on the Aazaz hostages' dossier- sources         

Well-informed sources reported that recent developments could bring back the Aazaz hostages' dossier to the forefront.            

Same sources told Al-Joumhouria daily that the General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim had paid a visit last week to the Syrian capital where he met with the concerned authorities in a bid to follow up on the file of the nine Lebanese hostages held in Syria's Aazaz.            

In this regard, the sources added that "the visit has had a positive impact," pointing out that it could revive the long-stalled negotiations.
              

• MP Jumblatt warns against a 'fait accompli' government- sources        

Sources close to National Struggle Front leader Walid Jumblatt quoted him as saying that "he is upset with those who are betting on the situation in Syria," he said in reference to the March 14 coalition.         

In this regard, the same sources quoted Jumblatt as saying that "the situation taking place in Syria does not fall in the opposition's interest on the ground," mainly at a time when "the battle in Homs is tipping the balance in favor of President Bashar al-Assad's regime".            

On another note, the said sources told Al-Akhbar newspaper that "MP Jumblatt is adamant on reaching an agreement with the March 8 coalition, mainly with Hezbollah," stressing that a 'fait accompli' government should not be formed.        

• UN's Ban Ki-moon voices his concern over potential vacuum in LAF Command- sources      

Al-Hayat daily quoted US and European diplomatic sources as saying that the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has tasked the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly, with holding contacts with Lebanese political parties and high-ranking officials.          

The newspaper added that UN's Ban Ki-moon expressed his deep concern over a potential vacuum in the Army Command, noting that it could entail repercussions on the political and security levels.