Press Digest for Wednesday August 07, 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.

• Salam: Situation to change after the holidays -Sources

Sources close to Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam reiterated that the situation will definitely change after the al-Fitr holidays, refusing to give further details.

In a statement to al-Joumhouria Daily, the sources added that during the next week, communications and contacts will progress to the next level in a bid to form a new government.         

• Jumblatt keen on preserving best relations with “Shiite duo” - Sources

A source from the March 8 alliance declared that there is no strategic change in the position of the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt who had called for the formation of a political cabinet, ruling out that Jumblatt would make any move to provoke Hezbollah or harm his relation with Speaker Nabih Berri. The source stressed that Jumblatt is currently keen on preserving the best relations with the Shiite duo comprised of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement amid the current situation in the country.   

The same source told as-Safir Newspaper that Berri did not receive from Jumblatt any sign indicating a shift in the latter’s position, suggesting that Jumblatt may have meant by his statement the provision “new options”, to renew dialogue with Saudi Arabia, which is behind the delay in the formation of a new cabinet.                    

On another note, the source ruled out the possibility that the PM-Designate Salam would form a fait accompli cabinet following the al-Fitr Holidays, since the current situation requires a government capable of solving major issues.                          

• MP Abou Khater: Lebanese Forces remains most popular party in Zahle

MP Tony Abou Khater said that "the doors of the city of Zahle are open for anyone to visit", while commenting on the upcoming visit expected to be made by the head of Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun to the city.                    

Abou Khater noted that Zahle is the largest Christian city comprising a diversity of political parties from the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb party and the Free Patriotic Movement as well as independent figures.                        

He told al-Joumhouria Daily that the situation on the ground in Zahle is stable, stressing that the Lebanese Forces remains the most popular party in the city and the Christian towns, adding that this popularity has been demonstrated during the celebrations and special occasions.                          

• Mikati: Situation in Tripoli went beyond dispute between Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen                     

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the issue in the northern city of Tripoli went beyond “being a dispute between Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen”, and turned into attempts carried out by armed gangs to take over the city, stressing that this fact is unacceptable while work is underway to put an end to this situation.                          

Mikati told an-Nahar Daily that during the security meeting held on Tuesday at the Serail, a plan was outlined aiming at dealing with the security chaos prevailing in Tripoli, adding that the plan will be finalized during a comprehensive meeting to be held by the Central Security Council.