Press Digest for Sunday August 04, 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.

• US envoy Connelly: President Sleiman's stances fall in Lebanese people's interests
  

US ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly told An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that President Michel Sleiman's stances fall in the interests of the Lebanese people.

The envoy reiterated the US commitment to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, noting to the  "disappointment" of the Lebanese people after the extension of the Parliament's mandate.

According to the Daily, ambassador Connelly slammed Hezbollah's latest activities, noting that they undermined the party's credibility inside Lebanon and in Europe.

• Caretaker Minister Charbel reiterates rejection to vacuum in military institution

Caretaker Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel told An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that he rejects the vacuum in the leadership of any military institution.

On another note, Caretaker Minister Charbel noted that the launching of rockets at the Presidential Palace and other security tensions witnessed lately in Lebanon have one perpetrator.

He also added that such security acts are a direct result of the political tensions in Lebanon, calling on all Lebanese leaders to find a solution for all pending issues.

• March 14 sources: MP Hariri not coming back soon to Lebanon

March 14 sources told Al-Anbaa newspaper on Sunday that the latest Saudi-Iranian contacts did not agree on facilitating the formation of a new government in Lebanon.

Sources added that the MP Saad Hariri will be not coming back soon to Lebanon, denying any media outlets reports in this regard.

According to the Daily, the sources noted that March 14 alliance is still adamant on not making Hezbollah participate in the new government if the party does not halt its military operations in Syria.

• PM-designate Salam to submit to President Sleiman new governmental formula

Sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Sunday that President Michel Sleiman will be heading to Iran on Sunday evening, adding that he will be not meeting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Imam Ali Khamenei.

According to the Daily, sources noted that Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam will submit to President Sleiman a new governmental formula after the Eid el-Fitr holiday.