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.
Future bloc MP Ammar Houry said President
Michel Sleiman reiterated in a speech he delivered yesterday on the 68th
anniversary of the Army Day that he is committed to Lebanon's unity,
sovereignty and independence.
MP Houry also stressed that Sleiman's speech
goes in line with the principles of the March 14 coalition which stands against
the actions undertaken by Hezbollah on the internal and regional levels.
In this regard, MP Houry told
al-Liwaa daily
that President Sleiman gives a "limited chance" for the other party [March
8 coalition] to facilitate the formation of a new government, adding that the
current situation in Lebanon is unacceptable.
Sources close
to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam recalled on Friday the speech delivered
yesterday by President Michel Sleiman whereby he called for a
"neutral government" should the Lebanese political parties fail to
form a "political cabinet".
The same
sources described Sleiman's speech as a last chance for all the parties to
waiver their preconditions and facilitate the formation of a new government
that would put an end to Lebanon's conflicts.
The sources also
told
As-Safir daily that only the Lebanese parties are tasked with the
formation of a new cabinet, pointing out that Saudi and Iranian nationals are
not involved in the process, they said in reference to the stance of Saudi
Arabia regarding Hezbollah's participation in the Syrian crisis, which could
disrupt the cabinet formation.
Sources close
to President Michel Sleiman reported that "the speech he delivered yesterday did
not bring anything new," noting that the President reiterated his rejection to the actions
undertaken by some Lebanese political parties, mainly those who participate in the
fighting taking place in Syria.
The aforementioned
sources also pointed out that Sleiman
denounced the failure to abide by the Baabda Declaration, to hold parliamentary
elections as well as the disruption of governmental affairs.
On the other hand, the same sources told
An-Nahar daily that Sleiman
distinguished between the Resistance and terrorism, describing the speech as a "comprehensive approach" for the next phase in Lebanon.
Security sources
told
An-Nahar newspaper that former singer Fadel Shaker was seen a few days ago
in the vicinity of South Lebanon's Ain el-Helwe Palestinian Refugee Camp,
noting that he met with a number of persons and tasked them to sell his properties.
The same
sources added that former singer Shaker told the persons he met with that he needed
money, pointing out that "he intends to travel abroad as soon as possible".