Press Digest for Wednesday July 17, 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.

• Speaker Berri says will call for another parliamentary session until quorum is reached

Speaker Nabih Berri told Al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that he will call for another parliamentary  session until quorum is reached.

He also reiterated his support to the extension of the Army Commander Jean Kahwagi's mandate, calling on other parties to heed the call.

Speaker Berri noted that he is exerting efforts to facilitate the task of Prime Minister Tammam Salam to form a new government, adding that the blocking third "no longer exists."

• LF leader Samir Geagea: LAF is not being targeted by programmed campaign

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea told As-Safir newspaper on Wednesday that the March 14 alliance is not hindering the formation of a new government.

Geagea noted that "national unity governments" proved to be a "total failure throughout the years", adding that such governments "transfer the conflicts and disputes from the street straight to the state's institutions."

According to the Daily, Geagea called on Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam  to form the new government as soon as possible.

He also noted that there is no programmed campaign targeting the Lebanese army, adding that Hezbollah is giving orders to the military institution.

• MP Michel Aoun holds secret meeting with Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Nasrallah

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that a meeting was held between Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and Secretary General of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday-Monday overnight.

Sources added that both leaders  agreed to keep the meeting under wraps, noting that they solved all disputable pending issues between both parties.

• Plumbly: International community supports the Lebanese army

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly told An-Nahar newspaper on Wednesday that the international community is supporting the Lebanese army on all levels.

He called on the Lebanese leaders to reach a common ground over the military institution's leadership in order to avoid vacuum.

Plumbly reiterated that the international community is adamant on sparing Lebanon the repercussions of the regional conflicts, voicing his concerns over the security situation in the country.

According to the Daily, Plumbly called on Lebanese leaders to abide by the self-dissociation policy and the Baabda Declaration.