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.
Parliamentary sources close to the Future bloc told
Al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday that the European Union's decision regarding
Hezbollah was expected, and recalled the letter that was sent by President
Michel Sleiman to the EU, adding that all the Lebanese political parties were
briefed on the decision prior to it being announced.
The same sources reported that the call of French President
Francois Hollande to form a national unity government in Lebanon came as a
preemptive step indicating that France has two different positions in regards
to the Lebanese internal affairs and Hezbollah "which poses a threat to
Europe's security".
The sources added that "the said decision shifts the balance
in favor of the March 14 coalition," pointing out that "it will make the Future
bloc more adamant on refusing Hezbollah's participation in the government".
In a question directed at the European
Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton over the repercussions that the the European Union's
decision may entail on the situation in southern Lebanon, Ashton said that she had paid a
visit to the UNIFIL forces operating in the south, highlighting the need for utmost preparation should anything out of the ordinary arise.
This as the EU placed
the military wing of the Lebanese party Hezbollah on its terror list on Monday
in a major policy change toward the Middle East.
In this regard, Ashton told
Al-Hayat daily that the EU is keeping a close eye on the situation in Lebanon, voicing
deep concerns over the growing number of Syrian refugees as well as Hezbollah's role in Syria.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour called on the cabinet to hold an
urgent extraordinary session since "the European Union's decision regarding
Hezbollah will 'definitely' take a toll on the country," adding that
the Lebanese people should work hand in hand in order to avoid a political
schism.
In this context, Mansour told
Al-Joumhouria daily that all the Lebanese
should be aware that "Israel will find a pretext to launch attacks against
Hezbollah in Lebanon," adding that no one will be able to stand against it.
Sources close to the March 8 coalition told
Al-Akhbar daily that the
European Union's decision to put the military wing of Hezbollah on its terror
list does not affect the Resistance forces, noting that Europe should have
avoided such a resolution.
Other sources close to the March 8 coalition also noted that the EU has
probably made two achievements on the political and security levels, pointing
out that Europe is telling its nationals that terrorism comes both from al-Qaeda and
Hezbollah.
In this regard, sources told the daily that President Michel Sleiman
will issue today a statement whereby he will tackle Lebanon's official stance
regarding the EU's stance on Hezbollah.