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.
Sources told
As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday that former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon met with head of Hezbollah's International Relations Department Ammar al-Moussawi, during his last visit to Lebanon, tackling several issues.
Sources added that Fillon voiced his country's concern over the rise of extremist armed groups in Syria, stressing that they threaten the region and the Europe.
According to the Daily, Fillon also expressed alarm over the security situation in Lebanon amid the failure to hold the parliamentary elections and the formation of a new government.
For his part, Al-Moussawi explained to Fillon Hezbollah's point of views in regard to the party's involvement in the Syrian civil war, asserting that Hezbollah is keen on preserving stability in Syria, Lebanon and the entire region.
Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat told
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Tuesday that the March 8 campaign on the March 14 forces and the Future movement is an attempt to "assassinate" the moderated leadership in Lebanon to justify "the need for Hezbollah's weapons."
MP Fatfat added that these attempts come as part of the March 8 "programmed campaign" in which Speaker Nabih Berri is participating by launching "groundless accusations" against the March 14 alliance.
According to the daily, MP Fatfat denied that March 14 backtracked on extending the mandate of the Army Commander Major General Jean Kahwagi, adding that former head of the Internal Security Forces Major General Ashraf Rifi must be reinstated due to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.
As-Safir newspaper quoted on Tuesday Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai as saying that the situation in Lebanon is very "delicate" threatening the future of the Lebanese entity.
Patriarch Rai voiced his concerns over the plans drawn for the region which do not state any role for the Christians.
He also expressed his concern over the frequent disputes among Maronite leaders in Lebanon, adding that they bring down any hope to unite Christians in Lebanon.
Patriarch Rai called on Lebanese leaders to solidify their relations with the regional and international countries in order to preserve Lebanon's future and Christian-Muslim coexistence.
Sources told
Al-Jomhouria newspaper on Tuesday that several parliamentary blocs are preparing a petition to be submitted to Speaker Nabih Berri calling for holding a parliamentary session to extend the mandate of Army Commander Major General Jean Khawagi.
Sources added that such a step comes in fear of leaving the leadership of the Lebanese army vacant, thus generating security chaos and instability in Lebanon.